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Broken Symmetry Clues for Fundamental Physics

Colloquium

Theoretical Physics, general interest

Speaker:

Matthew Reece

Institution:

Harvard University

Location&Place:

IFT Auditorium

Abstract:

Symmetries provide a powerful organizing principle in physics. However, there are reasons to believe that exact global symmetries do not exist in consistent quantum-gravitational theories. Thus, we expect all symmetries in the world around us to be at least slightly broken. The extent and nature of symmetry breaking phenomena can offer important clues about fundamental physics. In this talk, I will discuss both phenomenological aspects of broken symmetries, including a look at high-precision experiments searching for flavor- and CP-violating effects; and theoretical aspects, including efforts to better understand the constraints quantum gravity imposes on approximate symmetries.