Research In Theoretical Physics

[sayebms]

Hi guys! I'm a third year physics student. and I'm studying mathematical physics and particle physics. I thought of doing some research in the field of theoretical physics but the problem is I don't know which subject is most appropriate for me to do research in. I will appreciate it if someone could help me with this.
(i'm interested in a broad range of fields like QFT, QCD, Dark Matter, Dark Energy, Strong Gravitational Fields.)

 

[tia89]

My dear saysbms, this depends on what you like more... you are interested in more or less all theoretical physics as comes out from your post, so it is not easy.
Anyway what I can do is to indicate to you some directions science is going lately (at least in fields related to mine) and you can see what you are more interested in... maybe read something and decide... and consider that if you are third year you may have some more time to decide, you don't need to pick a too specific field yet

That said: in astrophysics there are a wide number of open problems... the theoretical ones (not relating to observation then) are for example in theoretical cosmology the analysis of CMB data (released today data from Planck, so there will be a lot of work to do); also Dark Matter and Dark Energy are hot fields today, in a variety of directions, more oriented to particle physics or more oriented to gravitation, as for example modified gravity and so on. Also QFT in curved space-time is another important field regarding research on gravity; there are still a lot of problems related to the prediction by Hawking of radiation from Black Holes, main one being information loss. Also this can be approached from the particle physics side (string theory provides the only present explanation through the holographic principle and AdS/CFT duality).
In the particle physics field there is also a lot to do, in the attempt to unify all fundamental forces, thus recovering another link to gravitation in the attempt to find a quantum theory of gravity. Here the two main paths are string theory and loop quantum gravity (string theory though has much more resonance and the majority of groups work in that instead of loop quantum gravity). Also linked to gravitation and these topics there is the field of mathematical physics trying to unveil in a rigorous way the mathematical structure of all such theories.

These are just some examples of what can be done and what is done. Then someone else more informed than me in fields different from gravity can explain their tenses much better than me. Anyway take in account that in physics all is entangled; I mean that at the end studying something you will end up with studying a broad range of fields and using techniques taken from a variety of different fields. Also as you see to do e.g. Black Holes physics you can approach as a particle physicist or as a gravitational physicist but you will need to know both to some extent. And sometimes also fields which seem distant are linked. For example lately there is a great use of Bose-Einstein Condensates in cosmology for analogue gravity tests (acoustic black holes) and for example I am working on Relativistic BECs for my master thesis, using model which try to explain dark matter as a cosmological condensate... so to finish all is useful =)

 

[sayebms]

thank you very much tia89. I really appreciate your help. I think I will go for dark matter and dark energy since a lot of researches are being done in these fields recently.

 

[Khashishi]

dark matter $\neq$ dark energy

 

[pmacias]

As a fellow scientist, I am excited to hear that you are interested in pursuing research in theoretical physics. It is a dynamic and constantly evolving field, and I am sure you will find it both challenging and rewarding.

Based on your interests, I would suggest exploring the field of quantum field theory (QFT). It is a fundamental theory that describes the behavior of particles and their interactions, and has applications in various areas such as particle physics, condensed matter physics, and cosmology. Within QFT, you could delve into topics such as QCD and its role in understanding the strong nuclear force, or explore the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy through the lens of quantum field theory.

Another fascinating area to consider is the study of strong gravitational fields, which falls under the realm of general relativity. This field has seen significant advancements in recent years with the detection of gravitational waves, and there is still much to discover about the nature of gravity and its effects on the universe.

Ultimately, the most important factor in choosing a research topic is finding something that truly interests and motivates you. I would encourage you to speak with your professors and peers, read current literature, and attend seminars and conferences to get a better sense of the different areas within theoretical physics. With dedication and passion, I am confident you will find the perfect subject for your research. Good luck!