Mathematical Physics Seminar:
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Oct 06, 2005 05:00 PM,
From Einstein's Relativity to Supersymmetry and Supergravity: The Quest for Unification
Speaker: Kuzenko, S.M.
Abstract: The concepts of supersymmetry and supergravity were introduced into theoretical physics in the 1970’s. Supersymmetry is intimately related to Einstein’s special relativity and supergravity to Einstein’s theory of gravity. The essence of the special theory of relativity is that the space-time symmetries of any closed system are comprised of the Lorentz transformations and space-time translations (they span the so-called Poincaré group). Supersymmetry is the only consistent and nontrivial extension of the Poincaré symmetry which is compatible with the principles of quantum field theory. Supergravity is the supersymmetric extension of the general theory of relativity. It is believed that in order to complete Einstein’s unfinished quest – construction of a unified theory of all the fundamental interactions of nature - ideas based on supersymmetry and supergravity have to be incorporated. This talk will give an overview of supersymmetric theories and their properties, as well as of the research into supersymmetric quantum field theory being pursued at UWA.
