Five-dimensional Physics: Classical And Quantum Consequences Of Kaluza-klein Cosmology Classical and Quantum Consequences of Kaluza-Klein Cosmology

I found this book very readable, despite its title. In fact, it's the most transparent of the several books which have appeared recently which use extra dimensions to unify gravity and quantum theory. This is a hot topic in modern physics, and I'd heard of 10D supersymmetry, 11D supergravity and 26D string theory. But I wanted to take the step from popular accounts of these things in magazines like Scientific American to something with more substance. This book does it. The math is powerful but does not cover up the physics. I learned that the world may be curved in the usual four dimensions of Einstein's general relativity, but could be embedded in a bigger universe which is flat! And Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, of the usual particle-physics approach in 4D, may be just the "bits" left over from deterministic laws in 5D! I like this book because it's pragmatic. As the author says, we need to understand 5D before we go off to 10D, 11D and 26D. I also like it because there are descriptions in words of everything he proves by math. The only negative thing about this book is that it looks a bit cheap. But at least it's affordable, and should appeal to capable students and researchers. Preface -- 1. Higher-dimensional Physics. 1.1. Introduction. 1.2. Dimensions Then And Now. 1.3. Higher-dimensional Theories. 1.4. Field Equations In N[symbol]4 Dimensions. 1.5. A Primer On Campbell's Theorem. 1.6. Conclusion -- 2. The Big Bang Revisited. 2.1. Introduction. 2.2. Flat 5d Universes. 2.3. The Singularity As A Shock Wave. 2.4. A Bounce Instead Of A Bang. 2.5. The Universe As A 5d Black Hole. 2.6. Conclusion -- 3. Paths In Hyperspace. 3.1. Introduction. 3.2. Dynamics In Spacetime. 3.3. Fifth Force From Fifth Dimension. 3.4. Null Paths And Two Times. 3.5. The Equivalence Principle As A Symmetry. 3.6. Particle Masses And Vacua. 3.7. Conclusion -- 4. Quantum Consequences. 4.1. Introduction. 4.2. 4d Uncertainty From 5d Determinism. 4.3. Is Mass Quantized? 4.4. The Klein-gordon And Dirac Equations. 4.5. Gauges And Spins. 4.6. Particles And Waves: A Rapprochement. 4.7. Conclusion -- 5. The Cosmological Constant And Vacuum. 5.1. Introduction. 5.2. The 5d Cosmological Constant 5.3. Astrophysical Consequences. 5.4. Vacuum Instability. 5.5. Mach's Principle Anew. 5.6. Conclusion -- 6. Embeddings In N[symbol]5 Dimensions. 6.1. Introduction. 6.2. Embeddings And Physics. 6.3. The Algebra Of Embeddings. 6.4. The Campbell-magaard Theorem. 6.5. Induced-matter Theory. 6.6. Membrane Theory. 6.7. Conclusion -- 7. Perspectives In Physics. Paul S. Wesson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Extra dimensions — beyond space and time — are the best methods for unifying gravity with particle physics. The basic extension is to five dimensions (5D), as in the induced-matter and membrane theory. This descriptive text gives an up-to-date account of the classical and quantum consequences of 5D physics. It includes topics that range from Einstein's original theory of relativity to modern views on matter. The book is mathematically precise and focuses on new ideas which appeal to readers. Examples of new ideas are: The big-bang universe, which is curved by matter in 4D, may be viewed as a smooth and empty world in 5D; the uncertainty of quantum interactions in spacetime may be regarded as the consequence of deterministic laws in higher dimensions. This book will interest people who think about the ‘meaning of things’. "Extra dimensions - beyond space and time - are the best methods for unifying gravity with particle physics. The basic extension is to five dimensions (5D), as in the induced-matter and membrane theory. This descriptive text gives an up-to-date account of the classical and quantum consequences of 5D physics. It includes topics that range from Einstein's original theory of relativity to modern views on matter. The book is mathematically precise and focuses on new ideas which appeal to readers."--Jacket