Grand unified theories envision the standard model of particle physics
as a piece of a larger system. However, in this talk we will ask the
opposite question: Could the standard model result from a set of
algebras much smaller than itself?
By the late 1930s, Arthur Conway knew that the complex quaternions (just
a 4 complex-dimensional algebra) could single-handedly encode the notion
of rotations and boosts, in addition to the degrees of freedom of
electric and magnetic fields, energy and momentum, fermionic spin and
chirality. Here we will demonstrate hints that the octonions might be
capable of similar feats in efficiency.
This colloquium is tailored so as to be as accessible as possible.
Students are more than welcome to attend!