- #1
twistor
- 74
- 8
Does it make sense to study old (stringless) twistor theory nowadays?
Does it make sense to study old (stringless) twistor theory nowadays?
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the relevance of studying old twistor theory in the context of modern theoretical physics, particularly its connections to string theory, supergravity, and the amplituhedron. Participants explore the historical development of twistor theory and its potential implications for current research in quantum gravity and particle physics.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- Some participants question whether the amplituhedron is based on twistor theory or twistor-string theory, indicating uncertainty about the relationship between these concepts.
- A participant references Wikipedia to outline the historical context of twistor theory, noting its slow progress and perceived disconnect from mainstream physics until connections were proposed by Witten.
- There are claims that twistor string theory may simplify calculations of scattering amplitudes, suggesting a potential application of twistor theory in modern physics.
- Connections between twistor theory, supergravity, and loop quantum gravity are mentioned, with one participant suggesting that these relationships could lead to new developments in theoretical physics.
- Some participants express skepticism about the integration of various theories, with one likening it to a "salad" that complicates understanding, while another argues for the coherence of these theories as different approximations to an underlying framework.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the relevance and coherence of twistor theory in contemporary research. While some see potential connections and applications, others question the clarity and integration of these theories, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.
Contextual Notes
Participants highlight limitations in understanding the relationships between twistor theory, string theory, and other frameworks, noting that the connections are complex and not fully established.
- #2
bapowell
Science Advisor
- 2,243
- 261
Isn't the currently-popular and allegedly promising "Amplituhedron" based on twistor theory?
- #3
twistor
- 74
- 8
The fact is that I don´t know if the amplituhedron is based on twistor theory or on twistor-STRING theory. 
- #4
twistor
- 74
- 8
I got this from Wikipedia, but, you know, the references aren´t enough.
Twistor string theory[edit]
Main article: Twistor string theory
For many years after Penrose's foundational 1967 paper, twistor theory progressed slowly, in part because of mathematical challenges. Twistor theory also seemed unrelated to ideas in mainstream physics. While twistor theory appeared to say something about quantum gravity, its potential contributions to understanding the other fundamental interactions and particle physics were less obvious.
Witten (2003) proposed a connection between string theory and twistor geometry, called twistor string theory. Witten (2004)[2] built on this insight to propose a way to do string theory in twistor space, whose dimensionality is necessarily the same as that of 3+1 Minkowski spacetime. Although Witten has said that "I think twistor string theory is something that only partly works," his work has given new life to the twistor research program. For example, twistor string theory may simplify calculating scattering amplitudes from Feynman diagrams by using a geometric structure called an amplituhedron.
Twistor string theory[edit]
Main article: Twistor string theory
For many years after Penrose's foundational 1967 paper, twistor theory progressed slowly, in part because of mathematical challenges. Twistor theory also seemed unrelated to ideas in mainstream physics. While twistor theory appeared to say something about quantum gravity, its potential contributions to understanding the other fundamental interactions and particle physics were less obvious.
Witten (2003) proposed a connection between string theory and twistor geometry, called twistor string theory. Witten (2004)[2] built on this insight to propose a way to do string theory in twistor space, whose dimensionality is necessarily the same as that of 3+1 Minkowski spacetime. Although Witten has said that "I think twistor string theory is something that only partly works," his work has given new life to the twistor research program. For example, twistor string theory may simplify calculating scattering amplitudes from Feynman diagrams by using a geometric structure called an amplituhedron.
- #5
twistor
- 74
- 8
It was also proposed a conection to supergravity.
http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0406051
and to loop quantum gravity
http://arxiv.org/abs/1311.3279 and http://arxiv.org/abs/1201.2120
it seems that you could deform LQG and add extra dimensions and supersymetry. It´s called Loop quantum Supergravity
Seems like something interesting is going to emerge, since string theory and supergravity are related because of SUSY and (of course) because of M-theory
http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0406051
and to loop quantum gravity
http://arxiv.org/abs/1311.3279 and http://arxiv.org/abs/1201.2120
it seems that you could deform LQG and add extra dimensions and supersymetry. It´s called Loop quantum Supergravity
Seems like something interesting is going to emerge, since string theory and supergravity are related because of SUSY and (of course) because of M-theory
- #6
MathematicalPhysicist
Science Advisor
Gold Member
- 4,662
- 372
Sounds like that they are fixing us a good salad, a little bit of this and a little bit of that, so that no one can understand...
- #7
twistor
- 74
- 8
MathematicalPhysicist said:
Actually, I don't think so. Though it's clear that recent developments have shown us that we have a lot of work to do, I don't thing it's a salad. It seems to me like different aproximations to an underlying thing... (I know it sound a bit like M-theory
).The Relations between LQG and SuSY and string theory in one hand, and between LQG and twistor theory, on the other hand, are, if you want, questionable. However, the relations between Twistors, String theory, the Amplituhedron, SuSy, and SuGra are firmly established, and aren't mere coincidences.
Last edited:
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