From superfluidity to cosmology and elementary particles (based on "The universe in helium droplet" by G. Volovik”)

Abstract: There are fundamental relations between three vast areas of physics: particle physics, cosmology, and condensed matter physics. This book aims to establish and define the connection of these two fields with condensed matter physics. According to the modern view, elementary particles (electrons, neutrinos, quarks, etc.) are excitations of a more fundamental medium called the quantum vacuum. This is the new ‘aether’ of the 21st century. Electromagnetism, gravity, and the fields transferring weak and strong interactions all represent different types of the collective motion of the quantum vacuum. Among the existing condensed matter systems, a quantum liquid called superfluid 3He-A most closely represents the quantum vacuum. Its quasiparticles are very similar to the elementary particles, while the collective modes are analogues of photons and gravitons. The 3He A–B interface provides an unprecedented type of superfluid boundary between two degenerate macroscopically coherent quantum systems which display different broken symmetries and rich family of topological defects.

mathematical physicsgeneral physicsquantum physics

Audience: general audience

( paper | slides )

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QM Foundations & Nature of Time seminar

Series comments: Description: Physics foundations discussion seminar

Current access link in th.if.uj.edu.pl/~dudaj/QMFNoT

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