Transcript Laboratory Physics: From Quantum to Cosmos Ulf Israelsson, JPL Fundamental Physics Research in Space Workshop Airlie, May 22, 2006

Laboratory Physics: From Quantum to Cosmos
Ulf Israelsson, JPL
Fundamental Physics Research in Space Workshop
Airlie, May 22, 2006
Context: Physics in the 21st Century I
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Physics is standing at the threshold of major
discovery
– Our two foundational descriptions of nature, quantum
mechanics and general relativity, are incompatible with
each other.
– When this conflict is resolved, a different view of reality
may emerge that unifies matter, space, and time.
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Cosmological observations are providing additional
clues that our understanding of reality is in need of
drastic modification.
– About 80% of the Universe matter content is unknown.
– The expansion of the Universe is accelerating due to an
unknown energy field (dark energy)
Context: Physics in the 21st Century II
• The importance of using a coordinated, multi-agency
effort to seek an understanding of these outstanding
physics questions has been recognized by the NRC and
the OSTP/ NSTC
• NASA can play a key role through allowing access to the
space environment for many of these experiments
– NASA’s emphasis on human exploration not withstanding
• NASA’s beyond Einstein program has laid out a bold
vision for observational physics in space.
Context: Physics in the 21st Century III
• How can laboratory physics in space contribute to achieve these
discoveries?
– Confluence of high-resolution technology and space access provides a
unique opportunity to address these questions.
• Above Earth’s atmosphere
• Quiescent environment
• Free-fall environment
• Different space-time coordinates
Solving the mystery of gravity
• Survey and explore the conditions near black holes.
• Observational physics only
• Directly detect gravitational radiation from black
holes, neutron stars, and other astrophysical
sources.
• Observational physics only
• Test the inverse square law of gravity at distances
from submillimeter to planetary to search for
violations
• Laboratory physics only
• Test Einstein’s equivalence principle to exquisite
precision to uncover new forces
• Laboratory physics only
• Measure ppn parameters in the solar system
• Laboratory physics only
What lies beyond the Standard Model of Physics?
• Determine the origin and identity of nature’s most energetic
particles.
• Observational physics only
• Detect proton decay to provide crucial information about
the unification of forces. - Laboratory physics in space may
contribute through:
• Determining the edm of the electron
• Is special relativity valid under all conditions? - Laboratory
physics in space can contribute through:
• Local Position Invariance tests
• Are nature’s constants really constant? - Laboratory
physics in space can contribute through
• High resolution measurements of alpha-dot
• Isotropy of the speed of light
• Are there compacted unseen dimensions? – Laboratory
physics in space can contribute through:
• Sub-mm inverse square law measurements
ACCESS
SUMO
What is the dark matter?
• Map the distribution of dark matter in galaxies,
clusters of galaxies, and throughout the universe.
• Observational physics only
• Identify dark matter particles and measure their
properties - Laboratory physics can contribute
through:
• Discovery of Newton’s force law violations
• Discovery of Equivalence Principle violations
• Search for other relics of the Big Bang - Laboratory
physics can contribute through:
• Existence proof search for sterile neutrinos
Q2C Meeting Forward Looking Objectives
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To document the extent to which Laboratory Physics in Space can
contribute to answering the Physics of the Universe questions
– Synergism between NSF, DOE, NIST, and NASA
– Collaborations between ESMD and SMD?
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To discuss with the assembled scientific community what can be
done to establish a future program in this area,
– Synergism between NSF, DOE, NIST, and NASA
– Importance of International Collaborations
Fundamental Physics Program has had a difficult time
in finding traction at NASA
• “It is all about Budget and Priorities”
What steps can we take from here on out? I
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Clearly determine how laboratory physics in space can contribute
– Workshop and proceedings
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Unify the physics community
– Observational and Laboratory physics stand together with one voice
• Implies that we set our own priorities
– Build linkages across communities
– Strengthen partnership with international community
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Identify key physicists that can represent us to stake holders
Seek (further) physics representation on NAC, AAAC, BPA, etc.
What steps can we take from here on out? II
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Strive to add “placeholder statements” to current NASA Roadmap
and Science Plan effort
Seek representation on the next Astrophysics decadal survey
Convince NASA SMD to make this an annual workshop
Utilize synergy with international partners programs?
Strive to develop a Fundamental Physics Division
Continue individual advocacy
What else??
What recommendations might we make to NASA?
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Advisory board representation (free)
Commissioning of NRC study of relative priorities for research in
Astrophysics, Observational Physics, and Laboratory Physics
NASA contributions to Cosmic Visions program
Our own NASA Research Announcement
Our own technology development program
Future missions “fairly” competed
Physics and Society: Education
Physics contributes to the continuing
expansion of human consciousness by
• Inspiring young minds to excel
• Educating tomorrow’s innovators
• Teaching international peace through
the pursuit of knowledge
• Sharing the wonders of discovery with
the public to lift the human spirit
Physics and Society: Technology
Physics builds the foundation for tomorrow’s
breakthrough technologies
• To achieve new results, physicist traditionally push
on the boundaries of available technology
• To take full advantage of space experiments often
requires orders of magnitude leaps in technology
• These technologies can be applied for industrial
applications
• Increased understanding of scientific principles often
lead to completely new technologies and applications
Conclusions
• Laboratory Physics is in a position to contribute greatly to
today’s outstanding physics questions
• We must find a way to contribute
• This workshop is the first step
“There are grounds for cautious optimism that we may now be near the end of
the search for the ultimate laws of nature.” — Stephen Hawking