From Quarks to Black Holes: Progress in Understanding the Logic of Nature : Proceedings of the International School of Subnuclear Physics (The subnuclear series ; v. 41)

This volume is a unique report on the frontiers of subnuclear physics presented by global specialists in a clear and rigorous style.The question of Lattice QCD is presented by R D Kenway, and that of Quark-Gluon Plasma Physics by F Karsch. Quantum Field theory is discussed by R G Dijkgraff, and the status of Local Supersymmetry by M J Duff. Detailed analysis of Supersymmetry in Nuclei is made by F Iachello, and that of Inflation, Dark Matter and Dark Energy by E W Kolb. Compactified dimensions are outlined by I Antoniadis, Horizons in the quantization of the gravitational force by Nobel Laureate G't Hooft, as also are Neutrino Oscillations by G Fogli and Fundamental Constants by H Fritzsch. The experimental data from BNL and Babar are presented by T W Ludlum and M A Giorgi, those from Fermilab and Hera by Parke and G Wolf. The status at CERN is given by L Maiani for the LHC and by W-D Schlatter for the non-LHC experiments. Highlights from Gran Sasso are presented by A Bettini. This volume also contains reports by a selected group of “new talents” on various topics in the field of subnuclear physics.The proceedings have been selected for coverage in:• Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings® (ISTP® / ISI Proceedings)• Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings (ISTP CDROM version / ISI Proceedings)• CC Proceedings — Engineering & Physical Sciences

This long-awaited work from one of the world's most respected scientists presents a series of dramatic discoveries never before made public. Starting from a collection of simple computer experiments—illustrated in the book by striking computer graphics—Wolfram shows how their unexpected results force a whole new way of looking at the operation of our universe.

Wolfram uses his approach to tackle a remarkable array of fundamental problems in science: from the origin of the Second Law of thermodynamics, to the development of complexity in biology, the computational limitations of mathematics, the possibility of a truly fundamental theory of physics, and the interplay between free will and determinism.

Written with exceptional clarity, and illustrated by more than a thousand original pictures, this seminal book allows scientists and non-scientists alike to participate in what promises to be a major intellectual revolution.

About the Author:

Stephen Wolfram was born in London and educated at Eton, Oxford and Caltech. He received his PhD in theoretical physics in 1979 at the age of 20, and in the early 1980s made a series of discoveries which launched the field of complex systems research. Starting in 1986 he created Mathematica, the primary software system now used for technical computing worldwide, and the tool which made A New Kind of Science possible. Wolfram is the founder and CEO of Wolfram Research, Inc.—the world's leading technical software company.

...from a collection of simple computer experiments—illustrated in the book by striking computer graphics—Wolfram shows how their unexpected results force a whole new way of looking at the operation of our universe...

Physics and computer science genius Stephen Wolfram, whose Mathematica computer language launched a multimillion-dollar company, now sets his sights on a more daunting goal: understanding the universe. Wolfram lets the world see his work in A New Kind of Science , a gorgeous, 1,280-page tome more than a decade in the making. With patience, insight, and self-confidence to spare, Wolfram outlines a fundamental new way of modeling complex systems. On the frontier of complexity science since he was a boy, Wolfram is a champion of cellular automata--256 "programs" governed by simple nonmathematical rules. He points out that even the most complex equations fail to accurately model biological systems, but the simplest cellular automata can produce results straight out of nature--tree branches, stream eddies, and leopard spots, for instance. The graphics in A New Kind of Science show striking resemblance to the patterns we see in nature every day. Wolfram wrote the book in a distinct style meant to make it easy to read, even for nontechies; a basic familiarity with logic is helpful but not essential. Readers will find themselves swept away by the elegant simplicity of Wolfram's ideas and the accidental artistry of the cellular automaton models. Whether or not Wolfram's revolution ultimately gives us the keys to the universe, his new science is absolutely awe-inspiring. --Therese Littleton Preface ix 1 The Foundations for a New Kind of Science 1 2 The Crucial Experiment 23 3 The World of Simple Programs 51 4 Systems Based on Numbers 115 5 Two Dimensions and Beyond 169 6 Starting from Randomness 223 7 Mechanisms in Programs and Nature 297 8 Implications for Everyday Systems 363 9 Fundamental Physics 433 10 Processes of Perception and Analysis 547 11 The Notion of Computation 637 12 The Principle of Computational Equivalence 715 Notes 849 Index 1201 Content: # Mini-Courses on Basics: # The Latest in Lattice QCD (R D Kenway) # Quark-Gluon Plasma Physics (F Karsch) # The Status of Local Supersymmetry (M J Duff) # Seminars on Hot Theoretical Topics: # Supersymmetry in Nuclei (F Iachello) # Horizons (G 't Hooft) # Neutrino Oscillations Physics (G Fogli) # Fundamental Constants and Their Possible Time Dependence (H Fritzsch) # Experimental Highlights: # Highlights from BABAR (M A Giorgi) # Highlights from Fermilab (S Parke) # Highlights from Gran Sasso (A Bettini) # Special Sessions for New Talents: # Magnetic Screening Length in Hot QCD (P Giovannangeli) # The KamLAND Impact on Neutrino Oscillations (A M Rotunno) # Yang-Mills Effective Action at High Temperature (M Oswald) # and other papers Presents a report on the frontiers of sub nuclear physics presented by global specialists. This book covers: the question of Lattice QCD and Quark-Gluon Plasma Physics; quantum field theory; the status of local super symmetry; a detailed analysis of super symmetry in Nuclei and that of inflation, dark matter and dark energy; and more. Challenging the traditional mathematical model of scientific description, a scientist proposes a new dynamic computational approach that utilizes simple codes to generate patterns of ultimate complexity.