Brainstorms: New Frontiers in Science and Technology

This quarter we continue with Brainstorms, a lively public lecture series celebrating the latest research in science and technology at Stanford. Co-sponsored by the Dean of Research, Associate Dean of Engineering, and Stanford Continuing Studies, the series features influential Stanford research scientists and engineers, and introduces the general public to the excitement of cutting-edge scientific inquiry.

The Quantum Universe: The Revolution in Twenty-First Century Particle Physics, with Professor Persis Drell

Throughout human history, scientific theories and experiments have asked basic questions such as: What is the nature of the universe? What are matter, energy, space and time? How did we get here, and where are we going? As the twenty-first century begins, physicists have developed a commanding knowledge of the particles and forces that characterize the ordinary matter around us. At the same time, astrophysical and cosmological space observations have revealed that this picture is profoundly incomplete and that ninety-five percent of the universe consists of dark matter and dark energy whose fundamental nature is a mystery. We have learned that, in fact, we do not know what most of the universe is made of!

In this lecture, we will hear about the revolution underway in the field of particle physics and the quest to explain the entire universe in terms of the quantum physics that governs the behavior of the microscopic, subatomic world. You will hear about new opportunities that have emerged for discovering the fundamental nature of the "Quantum Universe" that we never expected.