Non-local dynamics is an emerging interest in physics across many disciplines, from condensed matter physics to particle physics to quantum gravity. This project explores the effects of non-local dynamics as realized in the context of a certain class of string theory models of particular interest to cosmology. The string theory embedding of these models assures that the exotic frameworks encountered are physically and logically self-consistent. Yet, such non-local systems remain poorly understood, with many counter-intuitive features and apparent paradoxes. This project aims to unravel general features of non-local dynamics as they arise in this class of string theory models, and apply these results to modeling the primordial plasma of the universe.
The project also involves undergraduate education as an integral part. This is achieved through a two-pronged approach: (1) through the direct participation of undergraduate students in the research within a program that has already proven to be highly successful in involving undergraduate seniors in string theory research; and (2) through the development of a senior-level undergraduate course and textbook to help prepare students for competitive graduate programs in theoretical physics. The project also includes a multi-pronged community outreach component involving a web-based instructional resource, and a public lecture series on current topics at the frontier of theoretical physics.
The project involved three undergraduates students in string theory research exploring the problem of scrambling information by a black hole. An outstanding question that is currently being intensely debated in the literature is whether a black hole can diffuse and scramble information fast enough or too fast -- potentially leading to violations of principles of quantum mechanics. The research in this project focused on realizing a new testing model for addressing this problem in the context of Matrix theory, a theory of quantum gravity. The problem was then solved through new techniques that we developed by applying methods of parallel computing to numerical string theory. The conclusion of the project is that black holes are the fastest scramblers of information, diffusing information at a dangerously fast rate but not fast enough to violate the principles of quantum mechanics (in particular, the no-cloning principle of quantum information theory). The results were published in two papers: "On black hole thermalization, D0 brane dynamics, and emergent spacetime", Paul Riggins, Vatche Sahakian, Phys. Rev. D 86, 046005 (2012) "Scrambling with Matrix Black Holes", Lucas Brady, Vatche Sahakian, Phys. Rev. D 88, 046003 (2013) A third paper will be completed within the next few months: "Matrix theory is a fast scrambler", Sam Pramodh, Vatche Sahakian, in progress Funds from the project were used to purchase the first supercomputer at Harvey Mudd College based on nVidia GPU parallel processing, and the equipment was used in the project throughout, and is still in use. In addition, a series of five public lectures on theoretical physics and philosophy were developed as part of this grant. Each lecture was presented by myself and a colleague from the department of Philosophy at the university of Redlands, Julie Sushytska. The lectures were held on the Harvey Mudd campus and were all recorded. The videos were posted online at http://schrodingersdog.net. The lecture titles were: February 16, 2011: Black holes are neither black nor holes February 23, 2011: Is, and Is Impossible not to Be March 2, 2011: Your sense of certainty, off the quantum edge March 9, 2011: What are philosophers and string theorists useful for? March 23, 2011: Finally, the First Principles The lectures were very well attended, with about 100 people per lecture: students and faculty from the five Claremont colleges, students from nearby high schools, and a general audience from the Claremont area. The online videos of the lectures have been played thousands of times and continue to be popular.
