STRING THEORY
Written by Michael Suherman Design and edit by Rebecca Sopacua
STRING THEORY
Scientists have come up with the quantum field theory which marries the idea of other quantum theories. This includes quantum electrodynamics, the unified “electroweak” theory of electromagnetism and weak nuclear force such as beta decays, and quantum chromodynamics, the theory of strong nuclear force, the strong short-range force which binds quarks together to make particles such as protons and neutrons at the atomic level. GRAVITY
However, there is one problem stopping quantum field theory from explaining everything in our universe, that field theory has failed to work with gravity.
String theory, also known as the “theory of everything”, is quite a new science that includes uncommon ideas such as superstrings, branes and extra dimensions. It is hoped that string theory can bridge the gap between quantum field theory and gravity to be the “theory of everything”. STRING THEORY
BRANE
STRINGS
String theory states that there must exist several extra dimensions that are unobservable. Scientists would attempt to prove phenomena with more than 3 dimensions, and then try to eliminate the excess dimensions down to the 3 we live in using Calabi-Yau manifolds, a type of manifold which can take the form of many dimensions, but it has not succeeded until now. A 6-dimensional Calabi has still led to the idea of mirror symmetry, in which two objects that look very geometrically different but are equivalent when extra dimensions are incorporated.
String Theory attempts to represent all objects in our universe with vibrating filaments (strings) and membranes (branes) of energy. These strings are one-dimensional and vibrate at specific resonant frequencies, with Planck length (10-35 m). These strings are said to live in more than 4 dimensions (up to 26) but these dimensions are stuck within the Planck length. Branes, on the other hand, can have many more dimensions. Some studies have suggested that our universe is within a 3-brane (3-dimensional brane).
CALABI YAU
DIMENSIONS
PARALLEL UNIVERSE
Scientists in string theory have been experimenting whether there exists a landscape of string theory solutions to a certain problem/phenomena. Under this case, the possibility of parallel universes may exist.
Although only taking off in the late 20th century, string theory has already had some historical breakthroughs. In 1970, string theory was created when Gabriele Veneziano’s dual resonance model is interpreted as a universe of vibrating strings.
GABRIEL VENEZIANO
In 1971, supersymmetry was merged, creating superstring theory. In 1985, a heterotic string, a closed hybrid of a superstring and a bosonic string (bosonic strings are in 25 spatial dimensions), making heterotic string theory.
EDWARD WITTEN
In 1995, Edward Witten put forth his theory to unify all 5 variations of string theory at that time into one.
JOSEPH POLCHINSKI
Also in 1995, Joe Polchinski shows the deďŹ nite existence of branes in string theory.
Finally in 1996, String theory is used to analyze black hole thermodynamics, matching earlier predictions from other methods, proving to be useful. BLACK HOLE
Still a work in progress, String theory is a relatively young science that hasn’t reached its potential. Scientists hope that someday in the near future, string theory will be able to explain all phenomena and mysteries in our entire universe.
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