Scientists devise test for string theory

[jluetjen]

Anyone else see this story recently? I can't wait (the upteen years) to see what they determine. Kind of like the gravitational constant debate within astronomy which went on for years before being largely settled just a few years ago.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Researchers at the University of Wisconsin at Madison claim that they have found a way to determine the shape of the extra dimensions predicted by string theory.

String theory is a leading candidate in the search to identify a single principle that guides all other forces of nature in the universe—weak and strong nuclear forces as well as electromagnetic and gravitational forces. But until now no one had devised an experiment to test it.

The researchers suggest that they can confirm the unified theory from the effects seen as they peer back into time to observe the most distant astronomical objects, which existed "at the beginning" of the universe.

The postulation of these extra dimensions—up to 10 in all—explains why only the point-like tips of these particles are visible to humans: The rest of each particle could be spread through this multidimensional space. Their interactions in the other dimensions—akin to interference among vibrating "strings"—explains why quantum mechanics requires statistics to describe matter: their tips could be jumping about like the end of a whip.

The theory unifies all forces in nature by modifying the most basic assumption of quantum physics—that particles are point-like objects. String theory maintains instead that we are only observing their point-like appearance because we are perceiving only three physical dimensions.

Engineers have already harnessed derivatives of quantum mechanics' statistical interpretation of matter, such as the Casimir effect. The effect is based on the quantum-mechanical assumption that empty space is not really empty, but at any given moment is composed of particles that wink into and out of existence from previously empty space. Microelectromechanical systems have harnessed the energy of these quantum statistics in experiments conducted by EE Steve Lamoreaux at Los Alamos National Laboratory and professor Ephraim Fischbach at Purdue University.

String theory allows engineers to compute the number of extra dimensions that explain quantum mechanics' statistical interpretation of matter—namely, gauge anomalies. For instance, photons are assumed to have zero mass, but string theory predicts that high-energy string modes could allow photons to exert pressure normally attributed to particles with mass, including the Casimir effect already observed at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

There are tens of thousands of possible shapes for the 10 dimensions of space, according to string theory. By observing their effects in three-dimensional space, we can infer which possible shape best describes our universe. These effects will be easier to see at the beginning of the universe because the tiny dimension of string theory will match the tiny dimensions of space at its birth.

Next, the University of Wisconsin scientists propose to observe the extra dimensions of string theory from their effects on the background of cosmic energy, which has remained virtually unchanged since first being released by the violent birth of the universe.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe, for which the team received a 2006 Nobel Prize, has the most accurate data about the background of cosmic energy in the universe. Unfortunately, that data is not accurate enough to prove the case for string theory.

However, the University of Wisconsin theorists predict that upcoming experiments on the European Space Agency's Planck satellite will have the sensitivity needed to determine the shape of the extra dimensions predicted by string theory.

The National Science Foundation, the Energy Department and the Research Corp. funded the research.

[motion]

Originally posted by jluetjen
Kind of like the gravitational constant debate within astronomy which went on for years before being largely settled just a few years ago.

I didn't know it was settled at this point... I thought it was still up in the air?

[IROC]

This is very exciting. Hopefully we're on the verge of a great discovery.

[M.D. Holloway]

Thats pretty good Richard!

[jluetjen]

Originally posted by motion
quote:Originally posted by jluetjen
Kind of like the gravitational constant debate within astronomy which went on for years before being largely settled just a few years ago.
I didn't know it was settled at this point... I thought it was still up in the air?

I guess I should have said "Cosmological Constant". My bad. Here's the link to the Astronomy Picture of the Day that links off to the other information. While I guess not completely conclusive (note that I'm way over my technological head, but I love reading this stuff anyhow), the range of probability for the value is getting smaller.



In laymans terms? We live in a universe which which began in a "Big Bang" and will expand (while cooling off) forever.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

This stuff is fascinating. . . Hopefully we figure out the truth.

What do you guys think of Steven Hawking's recent reversal of position that information is destroyed in black holes? It seems interesting, but his logic (the parallel universe argument) seemed a little bit weak, especially coming from someone of his stature. Or maybe it's just simply true because it's so simplistic.

[john70t]

Don't you know those conclusions are entirely wrong, and must be modified and/or withheld from the public by President Bush for their own good?
(sorry for the politic-tic-tics).

[john70t]

Saw an excellent PBS video on string theory from the library.

Wasen't Einstein et. all working on the single mathmatical formula/constant of the universe, but found that there were actually two different ones: because when approaching the micro(chaos) and macro(predictability) finites the values changed?

Amazing stuff, these postulations, and to think we've had electricity for a little over 100 years?
Herr Dr. Porsche designed some of the first electric and hybrid vehicle incidently.

[ckissick]

Will a lack of the expected structure in the cosmic background radiation disprove string theory?

[motion]

Originally posted by john70t
Saw an excellent PBS video on string theory from the library.

Wasen't Einstein et. all working on the single mathmatical formula/constant of the universe, but found that there were actually two different ones: because when approaching the micro(chaos) and macro(predictability) finites the values changed?

Amazing stuff, these postulations, and to think we've had electricity for a little over 100 years?
Herr Dr. Porsche designed some of the first electric and hybrid vehicle incidently.

The Elegant Universe. An excellent video on string theory.

Until we figure out WTF is going on with 95% of the matter in the universe (dark matter), we're going to be chasing our tails.

[Dantilla]

My 11-year old daughter loves to prove the Silly String theory.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally posted by jluetjen

In laymans terms? We live in a universe which which began in a "Big Bang" and will expand (while cooling off) forever.

Not only that the rate of expansion is accelerating

[john70t]

LOL, is that why time always seems to be going' by faster, or do I just not notice half of it?

[island911]

Originally posted by Bill Verburg
Not only that the rate of expansion is accelerating

That's what I was going to say.

So does string theory account for / explain this?

[Hendog]

Originally posted by jluetjen
string models could allow photons to exert pressure normally attributed to particles with mass

This string model allows photons to exert pressure ONTO mass
Don't try to observe the string for fear of it moving

[jluetjen]

Originally posted by island911
That's what I was going to say.

So does string theory account for / explain this?

I'd be surprised if it didn't given that the fact that the universe is accelerating it's expansion has been suspected for a while.

[jluetjen]

Glancing back at my copy of "A Brief History of Time", it looks like Hawkings was gravitating towards the open ended acceleration idea, but not quite there yet.

[Hendog]

Originally posted by john70t
LOL, is that why time always seems to be going' by faster, or do I just not notice half of it?

In an effort to be serious, I believe time seems to be goin' by faster as we get older because it is relative to the time we have experienced. For example a year of shool to a 7 year old seems like a long time because he has only live 7 years; grade 12 is another 5/7th of a lifetime away. A year for an 80 year old is only 1/80th of his life time experience: not a long time. In these scenarios time is definitely relative.

[}{arlequin]

Originally posted by motion
The Elegant Universe. An excellent video on string theory.

Until we figure out WTF is going on with 95% of the matter in the universe (dark matter), we're going to be chasing our tails.

+1 for the elegant universe. saw it once on pbs i think and it blew my mind, but i could follow it. later bought the dvd and it's much much longer than the program. there are 3 dvd's total in there.

good post john.

[ckissick]

Originally posted by Hendog
This string model allows photons to exert pressure ONTO mass
Don't try to observe the string for fear of it moving

Yep, the expansion is definitely accelerating.