Talks

We consider the large N limit of a class of fourdimensional supersymmetric theories in conjunction with a limit in their parameter space towards singular points where extra baryonic states become light, which causes the low-energy description to break down. However, this can be cured by defining a large N double scaling limit where one approaches the singularity by keeping the mass M of these states fixed. This limit has several interesting features. For example, the conventional \\\'t Hooft limit leads to a free theory of colour singlet states where all interactions are suppressed by powers of 1/N. In this case, the large N Hilbert space splits into two decoupled sectors, and one of them keeps residual interactions whose strength in inversely proportional to the mass M. We argue that for a class of these models the dynamics of this sector is dual to a non-critical superstring background, which is exactly solvable.

The principles of Quantum Mechanics and of Classical General Relativity imply Uncertainty Relations between the different spacetime coordinates of the events, which yield to a basic model of Quantum Minkowski Space, having the full (classical) Poincare\' group as group of symmetries. The four dimensional Euclidean distance is a positive operator bounded below by a constant of order one in Planck units; the area operator and the four volume operator are normal operators - the latter being a Lorentz invariant operator with pure point spectrum - whose moduli are also bounded below by a constant of order one. While the spectrum of the 3 volume operator includes zero. These findings are in perfect agreement with the physical intuition suggested by the Spacetime Uncertainty Relations which are implemented by the Algebra of Quantum Spacetime. The formulations of interactions between quantum fields on Quantum Spacetime will be discussed. The various approaches to interactions, equivalent to one another on the Minkowski background, yield to different schemes on Quantum Spacetime, with the common feature of a breakdown of Lorentz invariance due to interactions. In particular one of these schemes will be discussed and motivated, which leads to fully Ultraviolet-Finite theories. Quantum fields will depend on the quantum coordinates, but, in presence of Gravity, the commutators of the coordinates might in turn depend on the quantum fields, giving rise to a quantum texture where fields and spacetime coordinates cannot be separated. Possible deep physical consequences will be outlined.

I should like to show how particular mathematical properties can limit our metaphysical choices, by discussing old and new theorems within the statistical-model framework of Mielnik, Foulis & Randall, and Holevo, and what these theorems have to say about possible metaphysical models of quantum mechanics. Time permitting, I should also like to show how metaphysical assumptions lead to particular mathematical choices, by discussing how the assumption of space as a relational concept leads to a not widely known frame-invariant formulation of classical point-particle mechanics by Föppl and Zanstra, and related research topics in continuum mechanics and general relativity.

A convergence of climate, resource, technological, and economic stresses gravely threaten the future of humankind. Scientists have a special role in humankind\\\'s response, because only rigorous science can help us understand the complexities and potential consequences of these stresses. Diminishing the threat they pose will require profound social, institutional, and technological changes -- changes that will be opposed by powerful status-quo special interests. Do scientists have a responsibility to articulate the dangers of inaction to a broader event beyond simply publishing their findings in scholarly journals? Should they become more actively involved in the politics of global change?

Mutually unbiased bases (MUBs) have attracted a lot of attention the last years. These bases are interesting for their potential use within quantum information processing and when trying to understand quantum state space. A central question is if there exists complete sets of N+1 MUBs in N-dimensional Hilbert space, as these are desired for quantum state tomography. Despite a lot of effort they are only known in prime power dimensions. I will describe in geometrical terms how a complete set of MUBs would sit in the set of density matrices and present a distance between bases–a measure of unbiasedness. Then I will explain the relation between MUBs and Hadamard matrices, and report on a search for MUB-sets in dimension N=6. In this case no sets of more than three MUBs are found, but there are several inequivalent triplets.

I\'ll introduce a particular class of fundamental string configurations in the form of closed loops stabilized by internal dynamics. I\\\'ll describe their classical treatment and embedding in models of string cosmology. I\\\'ll present the quantum version and the semiclassical limit that provides a microscopic description of dipole black rings. I\\\'ll show the parametric matching between the degeneracy of microstates and the entropy of the supergravity solution.