Author: S. A. Huggett
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521456890
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 196
Book Description
Evolving from graduate lectures given in London and Oxford, this introduction to twistor theory and modern geometrical approaches to space-time structure will provide graduate students with the basics of twistor theory, presupposing some knowledge of special relativity and differenttial geometry.
An Introduction to Twistor Theory
Author: S. A. Huggett
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521456890
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 196
Book Description
Evolving from graduate lectures given in London and Oxford, this introduction to twistor theory and modern geometrical approaches to space-time structure will provide graduate students with the basics of twistor theory, presupposing some knowledge of special relativity and differenttial geometry.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521456890
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 196
Book Description
Evolving from graduate lectures given in London and Oxford, this introduction to twistor theory and modern geometrical approaches to space-time structure will provide graduate students with the basics of twistor theory, presupposing some knowledge of special relativity and differenttial geometry.
Not Even Wrong
Author: Peter Woit
Publisher: Basic Books
ISBN: 046500363X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 336
Book Description
At what point does theory depart the realm of testable hypothesis and come to resemble something like aesthetic speculation, or even theology? The legendary physicist Wolfgang Pauli had a phrase for such ideas: He would describe them as "not even wrong," meaning that they were so incomplete that they could not even be used to make predictions to compare with observations to see whether they were wrong or not. In Peter Woit's view, superstring theory is just such an idea. In Not Even Wrong , he shows that what many physicists call superstring "theory" is not a theory at all. It makes no predictions, even wrong ones, and this very lack of falsifiability is what has allowed the subject to survive and flourish. Not Even Wrong explains why the mathematical conditions for progress in physics are entirely absent from superstring theory today and shows that judgments about scientific statements, which should be based on the logical consistency of argument and experimental evidence, are instead based on the eminence of those claiming to know the truth. In the face of many books from enthusiasts for string theory, this book presents the other side of the story.
Publisher: Basic Books
ISBN: 046500363X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 336
Book Description
At what point does theory depart the realm of testable hypothesis and come to resemble something like aesthetic speculation, or even theology? The legendary physicist Wolfgang Pauli had a phrase for such ideas: He would describe them as "not even wrong," meaning that they were so incomplete that they could not even be used to make predictions to compare with observations to see whether they were wrong or not. In Peter Woit's view, superstring theory is just such an idea. In Not Even Wrong , he shows that what many physicists call superstring "theory" is not a theory at all. It makes no predictions, even wrong ones, and this very lack of falsifiability is what has allowed the subject to survive and flourish. Not Even Wrong explains why the mathematical conditions for progress in physics are entirely absent from superstring theory today and shows that judgments about scientific statements, which should be based on the logical consistency of argument and experimental evidence, are instead based on the eminence of those claiming to know the truth. In the face of many books from enthusiasts for string theory, this book presents the other side of the story.
Twistor Geometry and Field Theory
Author: R. S. Ward
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521422680
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 534
Book Description
Deals with the twistor treatment of certain linear and non-linear partial differential equations. The description in terms of twistors involves algebraic and differential geometry, and several complex variables.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521422680
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 534
Book Description
Deals with the twistor treatment of certain linear and non-linear partial differential equations. The description in terms of twistors involves algebraic and differential geometry, and several complex variables.
Twistor Theory
Author: Stephen Huggett
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 9780824793210
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 290
Book Description
Presents the proceedings of the recently held conference at the University of Plymouth. Papers describe recent work by leading researchers in twistor theory and cover a wide range of subjects, including conformal invariants, integral transforms, Einstein equations, anti-self-dual Riemannian 4-manifolds, deformation theory, 4-dimensional conformal structures, and more.;The book is intended for complex geometers and analysts, theoretical physicists, and graduate students in complex analysis, complex differential geometry, and mathematical physics.
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 9780824793210
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 290
Book Description
Presents the proceedings of the recently held conference at the University of Plymouth. Papers describe recent work by leading researchers in twistor theory and cover a wide range of subjects, including conformal invariants, integral transforms, Einstein equations, anti-self-dual Riemannian 4-manifolds, deformation theory, 4-dimensional conformal structures, and more.;The book is intended for complex geometers and analysts, theoretical physicists, and graduate students in complex analysis, complex differential geometry, and mathematical physics.
Twistor
Author: John Cramer
Publisher: Courier Dover Publications
ISBN: 048680450X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 386
Book Description
Gripping novel of hard science fiction by physicist author recounts discovery of the Twistor Effect, which opens doors into countless alternate universes and draws dangerous attention from industrial spies and corporate killers.
Publisher: Courier Dover Publications
ISBN: 048680450X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 386
Book Description
Gripping novel of hard science fiction by physicist author recounts discovery of the Twistor Effect, which opens doors into countless alternate universes and draws dangerous attention from industrial spies and corporate killers.
Twistor Theory
Author: Stephen Huggett
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351406558
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 288
Book Description
Presents the proceedings of the recently held conference at the University of Plymouth. Papers describe recent work by leading researchers in twistor theory and cover a wide range of subjects, including conformal invariants, integral transforms, Einstein equations, anti-self-dual Riemannian 4-manifolds, deformation theory, 4-dimensional conformal structures, and more.;The book is intended for complex geometers and analysts, theoretical physicists, and graduate students in complex analysis, complex differential geometry, and mathematical physics.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351406558
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 288
Book Description
Presents the proceedings of the recently held conference at the University of Plymouth. Papers describe recent work by leading researchers in twistor theory and cover a wide range of subjects, including conformal invariants, integral transforms, Einstein equations, anti-self-dual Riemannian 4-manifolds, deformation theory, 4-dimensional conformal structures, and more.;The book is intended for complex geometers and analysts, theoretical physicists, and graduate students in complex analysis, complex differential geometry, and mathematical physics.
Fashion, Faith, and Fantasy in the New Physics of the Universe
Author: Roger Penrose
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691264317
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 536
Book Description
Nobel Prize–winning physicist Roger Penrose questions some of the most fashionable ideas in physics today, including string theory What can fashionable ideas, blind faith, or pure fantasy possibly have to do with the scientific quest to understand the universe? Surely, theoretical physicists are immune to mere trends, dogmatic beliefs, or flights of fancy? In fact, acclaimed physicist and bestselling author Roger Penrose argues that researchers working at the extreme frontiers of physics are just as susceptible to these forces as anyone else. In this provocative book, he argues that fashion, faith, and fantasy, while sometimes productive and even essential in physics, may be leading today's researchers astray in three of the field's most important areas—string theory, quantum mechanics, and cosmology. Arguing that string theory has veered away from physical reality by positing six extra hidden dimensions, Penrose cautions that the fashionable nature of a theory can cloud our judgment of its plausibility. In the case of quantum mechanics, its stunning success in explaining the atomic universe has led to an uncritical faith that it must also apply to reasonably massive objects, and Penrose responds by suggesting possible changes in quantum theory. Turning to cosmology, he argues that most of the current fantastical ideas about the origins of the universe cannot be true, but that an even wilder reality may lie behind them. Finally, Penrose describes how fashion, faith, and fantasy have ironically also shaped his own work, from twistor theory, a possible alternative to string theory that is beginning to acquire a fashionable status, to "conformal cyclic cosmology," an idea so fantastic that it could be called "conformal crazy cosmology." The result is an important critique of some of the most significant developments in physics today from one of its most eminent figures.
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691264317
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 536
Book Description
Nobel Prize–winning physicist Roger Penrose questions some of the most fashionable ideas in physics today, including string theory What can fashionable ideas, blind faith, or pure fantasy possibly have to do with the scientific quest to understand the universe? Surely, theoretical physicists are immune to mere trends, dogmatic beliefs, or flights of fancy? In fact, acclaimed physicist and bestselling author Roger Penrose argues that researchers working at the extreme frontiers of physics are just as susceptible to these forces as anyone else. In this provocative book, he argues that fashion, faith, and fantasy, while sometimes productive and even essential in physics, may be leading today's researchers astray in three of the field's most important areas—string theory, quantum mechanics, and cosmology. Arguing that string theory has veered away from physical reality by positing six extra hidden dimensions, Penrose cautions that the fashionable nature of a theory can cloud our judgment of its plausibility. In the case of quantum mechanics, its stunning success in explaining the atomic universe has led to an uncritical faith that it must also apply to reasonably massive objects, and Penrose responds by suggesting possible changes in quantum theory. Turning to cosmology, he argues that most of the current fantastical ideas about the origins of the universe cannot be true, but that an even wilder reality may lie behind them. Finally, Penrose describes how fashion, faith, and fantasy have ironically also shaped his own work, from twistor theory, a possible alternative to string theory that is beginning to acquire a fashionable status, to "conformal cyclic cosmology," an idea so fantastic that it could be called "conformal crazy cosmology." The result is an important critique of some of the most significant developments in physics today from one of its most eminent figures.
Twistor Geometry and Non-Linear Systems
Author: H.D. Doebner
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3540394184
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 222
Book Description
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3540394184
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 222
Book Description
Further Advances in Twistor Theory, Volume III
Author: L.J. Mason
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1482280949
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 432
Book Description
Although twistor theory originated as an approach to the unification of quantum theory and general relativity, twistor correspondences and their generalizations have provided powerful mathematical tools for studying problems in differential geometry, nonlinear equations, and representation theory. At the same time, the theory continues to offer pro
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1482280949
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 432
Book Description
Although twistor theory originated as an approach to the unification of quantum theory and general relativity, twistor correspondences and their generalizations have provided powerful mathematical tools for studying problems in differential geometry, nonlinear equations, and representation theory. At the same time, the theory continues to offer pro
Further Advances in Twistor Theory
Author: L.J. Mason
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 9780582004658
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 292
Book Description
Twistor theory is the remarkable mathematical framework that was discovered by Roger Penrose in the course of research into gravitation and quantum theory. It have since developed into a broad, many-faceted programme that attempts to resolve basic problems in physics by encoding the structure of physical fields and indeed space-time itself into the complex analytic geometry of twistor space. Twistor theory has important applications in diverse areas of mathematics and mathematical physics. These include powerful techniques for the solution of nonlinear equations, in particular the self-duality equations both for the Yang-Mills and the Einstein equations, new approaches to the representation theory of Lie groups, and the quasi-local definition of mass in general relativity, to name but a few. This volume and its companions comprise an abundance of new material, including an extensive collection of Twistor Newsletter articles written over a period of 15 years. These trace the development of the twistor programme and its applications over that period and offer an overview on the current status of various aspects of that programme. The articles have been written in an informal and easy-to-read style and have been arranged by the editors into chapter supplemented by detailed introductions, making each volume self-contained and accessible to graduate students and nonspecialists from other fields. Volume II explores applications of flat twistor space to nonlinear problems. It contains articles on integrable or soluble nonlinear equations, conformal differential geometry, various aspects of general relativity, and the development of Penrose's quasi-local mass construction.
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 9780582004658
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 292
Book Description
Twistor theory is the remarkable mathematical framework that was discovered by Roger Penrose in the course of research into gravitation and quantum theory. It have since developed into a broad, many-faceted programme that attempts to resolve basic problems in physics by encoding the structure of physical fields and indeed space-time itself into the complex analytic geometry of twistor space. Twistor theory has important applications in diverse areas of mathematics and mathematical physics. These include powerful techniques for the solution of nonlinear equations, in particular the self-duality equations both for the Yang-Mills and the Einstein equations, new approaches to the representation theory of Lie groups, and the quasi-local definition of mass in general relativity, to name but a few. This volume and its companions comprise an abundance of new material, including an extensive collection of Twistor Newsletter articles written over a period of 15 years. These trace the development of the twistor programme and its applications over that period and offer an overview on the current status of various aspects of that programme. The articles have been written in an informal and easy-to-read style and have been arranged by the editors into chapter supplemented by detailed introductions, making each volume self-contained and accessible to graduate students and nonspecialists from other fields. Volume II explores applications of flat twistor space to nonlinear problems. It contains articles on integrable or soluble nonlinear equations, conformal differential geometry, various aspects of general relativity, and the development of Penrose's quasi-local mass construction.