|
Dr. Gerard ’t Hooft Nobel Laureate Professor of Theoretical Physics University of Utrecht
GERARD ’T HOOFT received his doctoral degree in physics in 1972 at University of Utrecht where he has
been Professor of Physics since 1977. His primary research interests focus on gauge theories in elementary particle physics;
quantum gravity and black holes; and fundamental aspects of quantum physics. Among his many awards, Professor ’t Hooft
received the 1979 Dannie Heineman Prize from the American Physical Society, the 1982 Wolf Prize for his work on renormalizing
gauge theories, the 1995 Ben Franklin Medal, and the 1999 Nobel Prize in Physics – an award he shared with colleague Martinus
J. G Veltman - with the citation “for elucidating the quantum structure of electroweak interactions in physics.”
Dr. ’t Hooft and Dr. Veltman are responsible for placing particle physics theory on a firmer mathematical foundation,
thereby illustrating how the theory may be used for precise calculations of physical quantities.
General Public Lecture
“The Universe Inside the Atom”
Monday, October 11, 2004 8:00pm in PSF 101
Abstract: During the second half of the 20th century, many new physical laws governing the atomic
nucleus were unearthed. The most difficult questions arose when subatomic particles hit each other with the highest
attainable energies. The higher the energy, the tinier the structures are that one then encounters. Huge particle
accelerators were built, which are really nothing but gigantic microscopes.
What we see is a universe of many new tiny particle species, the tinier, the heavier. Their behavior was found to be
controlled by three kinds of forces: the weak, the strong, and the electromagnetic forces. In the early days, these forces
were each thought to be very different, but now we know that they are very closely related.
The beauty of this “universe of the tiny particles” is explained in non-technical terms.
Department of Physics Colloquium
“Black Holes and the Foundation of Quantum Mechanics”
Tuesday, October 12, 2004 4:00pm in PSF 123
Abstract: In electromagnetism, like charges repel, opposite charges attract. A remarkable feature of the
gravitational force is that like masses attract. This gives rise to an instability: the more mass you have, the stronger the
attractive force, until an inevitable implosion follows, leading to a “black hole”. It is in the black hole where
an apparent conflict between Einstein’s General Relativity and the laws of Quantum Mechanics becomes manifest. Most
physicists now agree that a black hole should be described by a Schrödinger equation, with a Hermitean Hamiltonian, but
this requires a modification of general relativity. Both General Relativity and Quantum mechanics are shaking on their
foundations.
|
|
|
