Understanding the Universe through String Theory

String theory provides a theoretical framework to accurately describe the relationship between space and time. However, to successfully apply it to our continuously evolving understanding of the universe one requires ever-more sophisticated models, techniques and concepts, as Jan de Boer here explains.

Throughout history scientists have attempted to further our understanding of the particles and forces that define our world. Professor Jan de Boer of the University of Amsterdam’s Institute for Theoretical Physics says new theoretical equations must be developed if major contemporary questions are to be addressed effectively. “If you’re just asking questions like how the sun, earth and moon move, then general relativity is brilliant and doesn’t need to be improved, as it’s much more accurate than our existing measuring capability anyway.”

“However, if you’re interested in explaining the origin of the universe, or exactly what is going on either in or near a black hole, then Einstein’s equations are inadequate. In order to answer these kinds of questions we need a better set of theoretical equations, or a better theoretical framework,” he says. Working in the field of String Theory, these are issues de Boer and his colleagues aim to address, as illustrated by the example of the SUPERCFT project. “The main objective of SUPERCFT is to develop techniques that will allow us to study various string theoretical models in more detail,” he continues. “For example, some of those models are related to condensed matter systems, and the project will help us to make the connection more precise.”

Over the last ten years much of the research into string theory has centred on the AdS/CFT correspondence – also known as the gauge/gravity correspondence – a complex theory which de Boer says offers rich potential to advance our understanding of fundamental forces. “The AdS/CFT correspondence was originally proposed by Maldacena in the late ’90s, and its basic premise is that there is an exact equivalence between a theory which includes gravity in D+1 dimensions – and a theory without gravity in D dimensions,” he explains. Although seemingly a self-contradictory theory, research has now substantiated Maldacena’s concept.

Recent years have seen significant advances in theoretical physics; nevertheless, with de Boer and his group keen to answer questions about black holes and other physical systems in both principle and practice, further research is required. “We aim to come up with a system where you can address questions of fundamental importance as accurately as possible,” outlines de Boer.

Contact Professor Jan de Boer, Coordinator, at J.deBoer@uva.nl

Published: Monday, 9th November 2009