The aim of this research focus is to further strengthen and support current research activities in theoretical and mathematical physics at the LMU. Research goals for the coming years focus on string theory as a consistent theory of quantum gravity in the context of particle physics and cosmology.
In this context, various string theory models will be examined with respect to their elementary particle and cosmological characteristics, with an important role played by the potential discovery of strings and supersymmetry at the LHC accelerator in Geneva.
Plans in astrophysics include the further investigation of the link between string theory and the development of the early universe shortly after the big bang, i.e. cosmology, as well as the exploration of dark matter and dark energy in the universe. In this case as well, it is hoped that future astrophysical observations will provide decisive clues as to the structure of strings and their interactions at very small intervals. The ultimate goal of string theory as a theory of quantum gravity is to better understand the quantum structure of space and time.
Prof. Dr. Dieter Lüst
(Faculty of Physics, Mathematical Physics, LMU)