Braided matter interactions in quantum gravity via 1-handle attachment

Abstract: In this talk I will present a topological description of elementary matter originally proposed by Bilson-Thompson, where leptons, quarks and electroweak gauge bosons are represented by topological excitations of trivalent ribbon networks. I will argue that utilizing handle attachment of braided networks in 3-space, it is possible to preserve some of the most appealing properties of Bilson-Thompson model, while still overcoming some of the hurdles that this theory has encountered, regarding particle interactions. In addition, I will explain how to derive some topological invariants, from Kauffman-Lins recoupling theory, that distinguish topological configurations associated to different particles. The talk will be self-contained, and no previous knowledge of topology is required, as I will introduce all the concepts used along the way.

astrophysicscondensed mattergeneral relativity and quantum cosmologyhigh energy physicsmathematical physicsclassical physicsgeneral physics

Audience: researchers in the topic

Theoretical physics seminar @ Tartu