New Fields And Strings In Subnuclear Physics

In August/September 2001, a group of 75 physicists from 51 laboratories in 15 countries met in Erice, Italy to participate in the 39th Course of the International School of Subnuclear Physics. This volume constitutes the proceedings of that meeting. It focuses on the theoretical and phenomenological developments in string theory, as well as in all the other sectors of subnuclear physics. In addition, experimental highlights are presented and discussed.

String theory is a model of fundamental physics whose building blocks are one-dimensional extended objects called strings, rather than the zero-dimensional point particles that form the basis for the standard model of particle physics. The phrase is often used as shorthand for Superstring theory, as well as related theories such as M-theory. By replacing the point-like particles with strings, an apparently consistent quantum theory of gravity emerges. Moreover, it may be possible to 'unify' the known natural forces (gravitational, electromagnetic, weak nuclear and strong nuclear) by describing them with the same set of equations. Studies of string theory have revealed that it predicts higher-dimensional objects called branes. String theory strongly suggests the existence of ten or eleven (in M-theory) space-time dimensions, as opposed to the usual four (three spatial and one temporal) used in relativity theory.

For the Galvani Bicentenary Celebrations, the University of Bologna and its Academy of Sciences singled out subnuclear physics as the field of scientific research to be associated with this important event, as it would best illustrate, for the new generation of students, the challenge inherent in fundamental sciences. Subnuclear physics has represented, ever since it was born, the new frontiers of Galilean science. In his opening lecture delivered on the first day of the new academic year, Professor Antonino Zichichi analytically reviewed the basic conceptual developments and main discoveries achieved in subnuclear physics since its birth in the 20th century. Given the importance of this field of fundamental research, Professor Zichichi was invited to expand the contents of his lecture into a book, and the outcome is this volume.

From August 29 to September 7, 2006, a large group of distinguished lecturers and young physicists coming from various countries around the world met in Erice, Italy, at the Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture (EMFCSC) for the 44th course of the International School of Subnuclear Physics: OC The Logic of Nature, Complexity and New Physics: From Quark-Gluon Plasma to Superstrings, Quantum Gravity and BeyondOCO.This book is a collection of lectures given during the course, covering the most recent advances in theoretical physics and the latest results from current experimental facilities. Following one of the aims of the School, which is to encourage and promote young physicists to achieve recognition at an international level, the students who have distinguished themselves for their excellence in research have been given the opportunity to publish their presentations in this volume.

This volume is a collection of lectures given by distinguished physicists from around the world, covering the most recent advances in theoretical physics and the latest results from current experimental facilities.Following one of the principal aims of the School ? to encourage and promote young physicists to achieve recognition at an international level ? the students who distinguished themselves for the excellence of their research were given the opportunity to publish their presentations in this volume.

In June 2016, a group of 167 physicists from 31 countries have met in Erice to participate in the 54th Course of the International School of Subnuclear Physics. The main focus of this year's course has been the new frontiers of Physics in the LHC-2 Era and in all labs the world over, as well as the new frontiers in related fields.