Physical Sciences 2010

“To fulfil the basic human need to understand the • M.Sc. in Integrated Physics In recent years, physicists have pursued the possibility universe and its workings, to understand how it all from the Indian Institute of of achieving a unified account of all the known forces began, how it may end, what lies in the future for us… Technology, Kanpur of physics using concepts of Superstring Theory. It was difficult to construct solutions of the equations it is in understanding these basic kind of questions • Ph.D. in Theoretical of Superstring Theory that did not contain massless that I think my work can contribute, and these Physics from the California Institute of Technology, particles of a kind not observed in nature, and that questions are of importance or of interest to Pasadena describes an accelerating or inflating universe, which common people.” seem to be required by cosmological observations. • Post Doctoral Research Through an ingenious construction that introduced Associate at the Institute several theoretical innovations, Prof. Sandip Trivedi Sandip Trivedi for Advanced Study, showed that these difficulties are Princeton, New Jersey Professor, Theoretical Physics Department, connected, and can be Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai overcome simultaneously.

Tackling the mysteries of Superstring Theory

How did our universe Superstring Theory is begin? How does it work? different from other versions Over the years, scientists of String Theory because it have put forward many includes fermions and the However, this has proved theories that attempt to In recent years, physicists Through his work, Trivedi has Trivedi's work helps to make concept of supersymmetry. difficult to do and so far answer these questions. around the world have also been able to find a way important links between Fermions include particles the only solutions to the In recent years, String been pursuing the of solving an outstanding the fields of Superstring such as quarks and leptons. equations of Superstring Theory has been a much possibility of achieving puzzle in Superstring Theory, cosmology and Bosons are another kind Theory that physicists have studied field and is a a unified theory of all Theory regarding the particle physics. His research of particle which include constructed involve massless promising attempt in this the known forces of origin of dark energy in the has made important the photon and the particles of the kind not direction. Superstring nature including gravity, universe. In cosmology and contributions to the study recently discovered Higgs seen in nature. Prof. Trivedi, Theory or Supersymmetric strong forces, weak forces astronomy there is increasing of superstring cosmology, Boson. Supersymmetry is with collaborators, has String Theory is an and electromagnetic evidence that the universe is flux compactifications a symmetry that relates shown a way of overcoming attempt to define all the interactions. They have dominated by a form of dark (a particular way to deal with fermions and bosons. this problem by using an particles and fundamental been trying to achieve energy which is thought to the additional dimensions ingenious construction forces in nature as the this using the concepts of contribute to its expansion. required by string theory), that introduced several vibrations of microscopic Superstring Theory. black hole physics and theoretical innovations. supersymmetric strings. supersymmetry breaking.

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