The Particle Physics and Cosmology of Supersymmetry and String Theory

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Dieter Lüst
• Subject Area: Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, Fields
• Term: from 2010 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 170490200

The Large Hadron Collider will search for new symmetries and forms of matter. In particular, the LHC will look for supersymmetry , which associates particles with differing intrinsic spin angular momentum. Supersymmetry seems essential to understanding important aspects of particle physics, such as the unification of forces and dark matter. It is also a requirement of superstring theory and a fundamental ingredient in quantum gravitation. If supersymmetry is discovered, it will be accompanied by a large number of new particles, called superpartners. Their existence and properties will be determined at the LHC. Astrophysical observations are also entering a new era. Imaging of the cosmic microwave background by the WMAP and Planck satellites will provide detailed information about the early universe and the origin of cosmic structure. Precision probes of the properties of dark energy and dark matter will be provided by the proposed JDEM and LSST experiments. In addition, LIGO and LISA will measure gravitational waves. All of these astrophysical phenomenon fundamentally probe the theory of gravitation and some, like dark matter, are potentially related to supersymmetry. Theoretically, supersymmetric gravitation is best described by the theory of superstrings.This correlated American and European proposal, is a direct response to the new experimental data that the LHC particle accelerator and the upcoming WMAP, Planck, LSST and JDEM cosmological observations will provide over the next several years and beyond. This proposal seeks to compare the results of cutting-edge theoretical physics, specifically supersymmetry, superstrings and M-theory, with this data. The intent is to provide a theoretical basis for the matter content of nature, the origins of mass, an explanation of dark matter and dark energy, the nature of quantum gravitation and the origin and properties of the hot Big Bang.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: United Kingdom, USA
• Participating Persons: Professor Philip Candelas; Professor Dr. Georgi Dvali; Dr. Justin Khoury; Professor Dr. Jan Louis; Professor Dr. André Lukas; Professor Dr. Burt A. Ovrut; Professor Paul J. Steinhardt; Professor Daniel Waldram