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Hellerman Lab (Kavli IPMU)
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The lab explores how gravity behaves at very short distances in spacetime, using string theory.
AboutAbout the lab
Unraveling gravity and the universe with string theory
Hellerman Lab studies theoretical physics, especially string theory.
The lab investigates how gravity behaves in situations where the structure of spacetime at very short distances becomes important, such as in the early universe.
String theory is the only dynamical system that unifies gravity and the uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics, and the lab uses it as its main tool.
The lab has also classified the various phases of string theory and the transitions between them, and has worked toward a unified understanding of all string theories.
Key terms
- String theory
- A theory that treats elementary particles not as points but as extended strings. It can describe gravity as well.
- Uncertainty principle
- A principle of quantum mechanics stating that paired quantities, such as a particle's position and momentum, cannot both be determined precisely at the same time.
- Supersymmetry
- A symmetry that exchanges the particles that make up matter with the particles that carry forces.
ResearchResearch themes
The lab studies the dynamics of gravity in situations where the structure of spacetime at short distances becomes important. Its main tool is string theory, the only dynamical system that unifies gravity and quantum mechanics.
*Illustrative imageDynamics of gravity at short distances
Using string theory, the lab studies how gravity behaves in situations where the structure of spacetime at very short distances matters, such as in the early universe.
*Illustrative imagePhases and phase transitions of string theory
In cosmological settings, the lab has classified and closely examined the various phases of string theory and the transitions between them. A transition can change the number of spacetime dimensions, or restore supersymmetry, a stable kind of order.
MembersFaculty
- ProfessorSimeon John Hellerman
VoicesStudent voices
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “CY5-6D-lattice” Andrew J. Hanson / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Dynamics of gravity at short distances: “Worldsheet” Anna.g / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Phases and phase transitions of string theory: “CalabiYau5” Andrew J. Hanson / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
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