String Theory Predicts Behavior of Superfluids

schrodingers_rabbit writes "Despite formidable odds, condensed matter physicists have made a breakthrough most thought impossible — finding a practical use for string theory. The initial breakthrough was made by physicist and cosmologist Juan Maldacena. His theory states that the known universe is only a 2D construct in anti-de-Sitter space, projected into 3 dimensions. This theory manages to model black holes and quantum theory congruently, a feat that has eluded scientists for decades; but it fails to correspond to the shape of space-time in the known universe. However, it does predict thermodynamic properties of black holes, including higher-dimensional viscosity — the equations for which elegantly and almost exactly calculate the behavior of quark-gluon plasma and other superfluids. According to Jan Zaanen at the University of Leiden, 'The theory is calculating precisely what we are seeing in experiments.' Unfortunately, the correspondence cannot prove or disprove string theory, although it is a positive step." Not an easy path to follow: one condensed matter theorist said, "It took two years and two 1000-page books of dense mathematics, but I learned string theory and got kind of enchanted by it. [When the string-theory related] thing began to... make predictions about high-temperature superconductors, my traditional mainstay, I was one of the few condensed matter physicists with the preparation to take it up."

Comments

Re:Wow

[SlappyBastard]

Here's the thing: quantum mechanics is making predictions that can be proven or disproven. In fact, that's what Fermilab is doing every day, and what CERN swears it will be doing once they find the right adapter plate to mount the new carburetor on it.

String Theory is starting out at some wild conclusion (10 dimensional space) and trying to work its way back to the observable universe by saying, "Well, is you fold dimension 10 over to flap B attached to dimension 9, then fold dimension 9 over to slit C of dimnesion, etc ... then you will be able to say the universe is ten dimensional, thereby providing a simple starting point for talking about the 20 dimensional universe! Tada!"

String Theory doesn't predict anything. Therefore, it should not be mentioned in the same sentence as quantum mechanics.