Emergence in Condensed Matter and Quantum Gravity: A Nontechnical Review

The book explores the self-organizing capacity of matter, a central puzzle of physics with implications for all natural sciences. Physicists have discovered a diversity of phases of matter and commonalities within them, with the pace of discovery accelerating due to quantum phases and topological order. The study of seemingly humdrum materials has made contact with quantum gravity, fleshing out the concept of emergence.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 95 pages
Publication date: 11 August 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This comprehensive book delves into the realm of science, presenting its content at a level accessible to a broad audience, akin to that found in Scientific American. It maintains an impartial stance regarding competing research directions and philosophical perspectives, fostering a balanced exploration of the field. Despite the inherent complexities of human discourse, it is astonishing how a million billion water molecules can coordinate seamlessly to form an ice crystal or release themselves as steam, exhibiting a remarkable self-organizing capacity that poses profound puzzles for physics.

The study of matter's self-organizing capabilities has emerged as one of the central and profound mysteries of the physical sciences, with far-reaching implications for all branches of natural inquiry. Over the past century, physicists have discovered a remarkable diversity of phases of matter, as well as remarkable similarities within this diversity. In recent years, the pace of discovery has accelerated even further, driven by the recognition of quantum phases of matter and the concept of topological order.

The exploration of seemingly ordinary materials has brought them into contact with the realm of quantum gravity, as theorists realize that the very fabric of spacetime itself may be a phase of deeper and yet unknown constituents. These developments further enrich our understanding of the concept of emergence, shedding light on how complexity can give rise to simplicity.

In conclusion, this book offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the science, providing a deep dive into the fascinating world of matter's self-organizing capabilities and their profound implications for our understanding of the universe.

Weight: 185g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031098949
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022