The Discovery of Supersymmetry in Nuclei

by Francesco Iachello (Center for Theoretical Physics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8120, USA)

Friday 21 Sept 2001, 14:00 → 14:50 Europe/Zurich

503/1-001 - Council Chamber (CERN)

In August 1999, direct experimental evidence for the occurrence of supersymmetry in nuclei was reported (A. Metz et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 1542 (1999)). This event was the culmination of a series of experimental findings that have revealed the presence of symmetry and order in atomic nuclei (a complex system composed of hundreds of particles interacting strongly). In this talk, first the concept of dynamic symmetry will be introduced and applied to the study of nuclear spectra. Then, the even more unifying concept of dynamic supersymmetry (F. Iachello, Phys. Rev. Lett. 44, 772 (1980)) will be defined and the series of events that led to the present discovery presented. Implications of the discovery of supersymmetry in nuclei to other fields of physics, such as particle physics where supersymmetry has been sought for years, but not yet found, and to other complex systems (macromolecules, polymers, ·), where supersymmetries of the type found in nuclei could occur, will be briefly discussed.

Organiser(s): Serge Franchoo / EP Division

Note: For more information, please contact the scientific secretary of the workshop Serge Franchoo (serge.franchoo@cern.ch) or the ISOLDE secretary (isolde.secretariat@cern.ch)

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