Quantum Field Theory, Separation of Scales, and Beyond

Event Date:
2025-03-25T16:00:00
2025-03-25T17:00:00
Event Location:
HENN 318
Speaker:
Nathan Seiberg, Institute for Advanced Study (IAS), Princeton
Related Upcoming Events:
Pioneers in Theoretical Physics
Intended Audience:
Everyone
Local Contact:

Gordon Semenoff (gordonws@phas.ubc.ca)

All are welcome to this colloquium series!

Refreshments will be provided before the talks at 3:45pm

Event Information:

Welcome to the last talk in our new Pioneers in Theoretical Physics Colloquium Series. 

On March 25th, we present Dr. Nathan Seiberg, a mathematical physicist currently working at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.

Abstract:
We will review the role of Quantum Field Theory (QFT) in modern physics.  We will highlight how QFT uses a reductionist perspective as a powerful quantitative tool relating phenomena at different length and energy scales.  We will then discuss various examples motivated by string theory and lattice models that challenge this separation of scales and seem outside the standard framework of QFT. These lattice models include theories of fractons and other exotic systems.

Bio:

Nathan Seiberg is a theoretical physicist who has made significant contributions to what has been described as a revolution in fundamental physics. His research focuses on various aspects of string theory, quantum field theory, and particle physics. He has made deep contributions to the understanding of the dynamics of quantum field theories, especially two-dimensional conformal field theories and supersymmetric quantum field theories. His exact solutions of supersymmetric systems have uncovered many new and unexpected phenomena, including the fundamental role of electric-magnetic duality in these theories. These exact solutions have led to many applications in physics and in mathematics. Recently, he combined insights from his earlier work to shed new light on quantum field theories in three space-time dimensions, which are also of interest to condensed matter physics.

Nathan has been a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study since 1997, after serving previously at the Institute from 1982-85, 1987-89, and 1994-95.  From 1985 to 1986, he was a Senior Scientist with the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, where he served as professor from 1986 to 1991.  He taught at Rutgers University from 1989 to 1997.  He has published articles in many journals, including Nuclear Physics and the Physical Review.

He received a B.Sc. (1977) from Tel Aviv University and a Ph.D. (1982) from the Weizmann Institute of Science.

 

Learn More:

 

Add to Calendar 2025-03-25T16:00:00 2025-03-25T17:00:00 Quantum Field Theory, Separation of Scales, and Beyond Event Information: Welcome to the last talk in our new Pioneers in Theoretical Physics Colloquium Series.  On March 25th, we present Dr. Nathan Seiberg, a mathematical physicist currently working at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. Abstract:We will review the role of Quantum Field Theory (QFT) in modern physics.  We will highlight how QFT uses a reductionist perspective as a powerful quantitative tool relating phenomena at different length and energy scales.  We will then discuss various examples motivated by string theory and lattice models that challenge this separation of scales and seem outside the standard framework of QFT. These lattice models include theories of fractons and other exotic systems. Bio: Nathan Seiberg is a theoretical physicist who has made significant contributions to what has been described as a revolution in fundamental physics. His research focuses on various aspects of string theory, quantum field theory, and particle physics. He has made deep contributions to the understanding of the dynamics of quantum field theories, especially two-dimensional conformal field theories and supersymmetric quantum field theories. His exact solutions of supersymmetric systems have uncovered many new and unexpected phenomena, including the fundamental role of electric-magnetic duality in these theories. These exact solutions have led to many applications in physics and in mathematics. Recently, he combined insights from his earlier work to shed new light on quantum field theories in three space-time dimensions, which are also of interest to condensed matter physics. Nathan has been a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study since 1997, after serving previously at the Institute from 1982-85, 1987-89, and 1994-95.  From 1985 to 1986, he was a Senior Scientist with the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, where he served as professor from 1986 to 1991.  He taught at Rutgers University from 1989 to 1997.  He has published articles in many journals, including Nuclear Physics and the Physical Review. He received a B.Sc. (1977) from Tel Aviv University and a Ph.D. (1982) from the Weizmann Institute of Science.   Learn More: See Nathan's faculty webpage here: https://phy.princeton.edu/people/nathan-seiberg and personal website here: NATHAN SEIBERG - School of Natural Sciences | Institute for Advanced Study See his Institute for Advanced study page: Nathan Seiberg - Scholars | Institute for Advanced Study View his videos: Anamalous Continuous Translations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcGxdwutzRo Topics in @2+1 Dimensional Quantum Field Theories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOwqE4-7rPM What is Quantum Field Theory (QFT): https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/quantum-field-theory/    Event Location: HENN 318