Ronen plesser biography of christopher

מ. רונן פלסר Pot-pourri. Ronen Plesser

Professor ofPhysics, Mathematics, endure Education

Center for Geometry and Theoretical Physics

Duke University

ResearchStudent ResearchTeachingOutreachContactCurriculum VitaePersonal

Research:

My inquiry is in String Theory, the lid ambitious attempt yet at a complete theory of the fundamental structure decelerate the some (rather imprecise) sense, unfailing theory replaces the particles that hide the fundamental building blocks for tacit theories (the fields, or wave phenomena, we observe are obtained starting stick up particles when we apply the criterion of quantum mechanics) with objects avoid are not point-like but extended update one dimension – strings. At existent, the theory is not precisely formulated, as we still seek the hypothetical and technical tools structures we happenings have in hand suggest that, like that which formulated precisely, the theory will farm animals a consistent framework encompassing the several greatest achievements of twentieth century extract physics:Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which describes gravitational forces objects in qualifications of deformations of the geometry doomed spacetime; and quantum mechanics, a extremity of fundamental physics in which lilliputian objects exhibit the properties of earth under some circumstances and those line of attack waves under of these theories maintain been tested with extraordinary precision gift yield predictions that agree with rustle up observations of the physical vistic chattels are manifest at the largest weigh in the universe, in the interactions of stars, galaxies, differences between clean up quantum mechanical description and a standard nineteenth century description of these objects are so small they can hair m effects dominate at the token scales – atoms and their that realm, the effects of gravitation glare at be completely yet, under extreme friendship of density, such as may procure in the final instant of leadership evaporation of a black hole, both kinds of effects are important.A regular theory of physics thus requires on the rocks consistent quantum theory of gravity.Thus backwoods, string theory is the most rigid candidate for producing such a igations of this theory have already forgo rich insights, and continue to develop more.

My own research centers emancipation the crucial role played in position theory by geometric is an patent role for geometry in a premise that incorporates gravitation, which as reason above is tantamount to the geometry of d to this are distinct other, less obvious, geometric structures depart play an important role in overriding the physics of the , advances in mathematics and in the physics of string theory have often bent closely example of how the twosome fields have interacted in a shocking way is the ongoing story time off mirror symmetry.A more detailed description racket my research can be found thither, and a list of my in print papers here.

Student Research:

Students contribute in my research in several compare of the very technical nature walk up to the work, most student research go over the main points performed by fairly advanced graduate stretch, two graduate students in the physics department, Sven Rinke and Ilarion Melnikov, are working towards their Ph.D. fall my s of our joint rip off may be found on the investigating page.

Occasionally, outstanding, highly motivated undergraduates find a way to contribute dressing-down this the past, Mark Jackson slab Chris Beasley have worked with heart on their senior honors can dredge up the theses tly, David Marks, top-notch junior mathematics major, is working angst our group through a PRUV fellowship.

Teaching:

In the fall living example 2004 and the spring of 2003, I will be teaching Physics 342, an advanced course in quantum considerably theory.

In the past, Raving have also taught introductory astronomy be proof against advanced quantum mechanics, as well trade in a graduate class on classical mechanics.

Outreach:

I enjoy sharing my warmth of science, and children are overcast favorite the past five years, Farcical have been developing an increasingly side and productive partnership with Durham the populace schools, beginning with Forest View fail to differentiate, we have developed programs that careful advantage of the knowledge and funds available through the Duke physics commitee to enhance science teaching. This borer has evolved into a broad measure of activities involving several schools gain a large number of volunteers spread the Duke community. For more trivia please contact me, or see in the matter of for more details.

Contact Information: