The quark-gluon plasma that is being created at particle accelerators presents theorists with the challenge of understanding the dynamics of strongly interacting quarks. An emerging approach for modeling strongly coupled plasmas is gauge-gravity duality. Gravity dual models have already uncovered analytical connections between a wide variety of dynamic variables that were not realized with conventional gauge theory techniques. The goal of this project is to place phenomenological constraints on gravity dual models to such a degree that we can use experimental data for precision tests of gauge-gravity duality.
The New York City College of Technology CUNY plays a leading role in the education of minorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and is a Hispanic Serving Institution. The PI will broaden the participation of underrepresented groups by involving students in research projects. This will enable the students to apply technical skills learned in the classroom, develop their investigative skills and participate in the scientific enterprise. In addition, by helping to write papers and presenting the research at conferences, the students will improve their information literacy, writing and communication skills. This will help to develop their skill set needed for lifelong learning and maximize their chances of success in the STEM areas. Since the majority of City Tech students are the first in their families to go to college, outreach programs are critical in order to increase family involvement and support, as well as raise the public awareness about the importance of the STEM areas. The PI will also organize and develop a series of public lectures for the local community, which will present physics in a non-technical and entertaining manner.
Gauge/gravity duality provides a framework for translating difficult problems in strongly- interacting systems to simple calculations in gravity. This has led to the prospect of using string theory as a tool for computing physical quantities for systems that can be experimentally studied. This project tested gauge/gravity duality as a computational toolbox for strongly-interacting systems via the construction of new examples of gravitational backgrounds The New York City College of Technology CUNY plays a leading role in the education of underrep- resented students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and is a Hispanic Serving Institution. The PI continued with his established track record of involving underrepresented students in research leading to published papers. This enabled students to apply technical skills learned in the classroom and help open up opportunities for them to pursue careers in science. These students improved their information literacy, writing and communication skills, and soft competencies. The PI organized seminars that exposed students to the excitement of physics, and extended outreach efforts by giving entertaining talks on black holes and modern physics to undergraduates at City Tech as well as at other colleges within the CUNY system. In addition, the PI advised a graduate student on his research and provided guidance to broaden and optimize the career opportunities available to him.
