Supersymmetry: Unveiling the Ultimate Laws of Nature (Helix Books) - Hardcover

Kane, Gordon

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0738202037 ISBN 13: 9780738202037

Publisher: Perseus Books, 2000

Synopsis

The next breakthrough in physics, supersymmetry will unite the fundamental forces of nature and revolutionize our understanding of space and time. For most of human history, man has been trying to discover just how the universe works. The Standard Model of particle physics, which describes the fundamental constituents and forces of nature, has proved a useful explanation, and recent theories attempting to unify these fundamental forces - such as string theory - have been wonderfully encouraging. Experimental proof, however, has always lagged behind theory. Now, thanks to powerful new tools and the dedication of a handful of pioneers at the frontiers of research, we are approaching the next great leap in understanding: supersymmetry. In this work, physicist Gordon Kane takes us inside both the conceptual framework of supersymmetry and the giant particle accelerators - the atom smashers - where this fascinating discovery should occur.

About this title

Review:

Call it a preview of coming attractions: the physical theory called "supersymmetry" is as yet unproven, but its proof will unite the four fundamental forces of nature--electromagnetism, gravity, and the strong and weak nuclear forces--and lead to the so-called Grand Unified Theory for which physicists have long quested. The theory underlying supersymmetry posits that every particle has a "superpartner" (a quark has a "squark," an electron has a "selectron," and so on), the existence of which can be adduced by observable behaviour; some of these superpartners, such as the conjectured Higgs bosons, are, physicist Gordon Kane writes, "really a new kind of matter."

The experimental proof required to validate supersymmetry will soon be available, when reconfigured particle accelerators at the Fermilab in Illinois and CERN in Switzerland go on line. These accelerators will be powerful enough to "smash" particles at hitherto unknown levels of energy--and, Kane adds, they will be enormously expensive. He justifies the by insisting, "Society always comes out ahead, even from a purely financial perspective, when it builds such facilities, because new developments lead to 'spinoffs' that in turn lead to multibillion-dollar industries." Society will come out ahead in another way, Kane confidently predicts, with supersymmetry providing knowledge of how the world really works. Accessible and thought-provoking, Kane's book offers a glimpse of that knowledge to come. --Gregory McNamee, Amazon.com

Review:

"An excellent book on one of the most important advances in modern physics."-Samuel C. C. Ting, Nobel Laureate. "A fascinating account of the theoretical ideas behind super symmetry...told by someone who has contributed deeply to the development of the field." -Nature"

About this edition

• Publisher: Perseus Books
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0738202037
• ISBN 13: 9780738202037
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224