Perimeter Institute is a major centre for theoretical physics research, attracting a diverse community of resident and visiting scientists from around the world.  They cluster in Waterloo, Ontario, to forge new, mind-bending ideas about the ultimate nature of our universe, from space and time to matter and forces.  Driven by curiosity, their mission is to unlock nature’s most profound secrets hidden deep inside the atom and far across the universe.

Researchers at PI build on the two great revolutionary advances of 20^th century physics – the relativity and quantum theories:

1. Einstein discovered that space and time are not separate entities, but are different aspects of a single geometrical entity called spacetime, which dynamically twists and warps as it dances with matter and energy.  This dance, called gravity, governs the behaviour of the universe on large scales, from the solar system and galaxies to the entire cosmos as a whole.
2. The fathers of quantum theory, on the other hand, such as Bohr, Heisenberg, and Schrödinger, discovered strange new laws that were eventually seen to govern the behaviour of all matter and forces on very small scales – the atomic and subatomic worlds, with the exception of gravity, whose quantum nature continues to elude physicists.

Both are profoundly powerful theories which not only explain, with extraordinary accuracy, many previously puzzling aspects of the universe, but have also successfully predicted a wealth of completely unexpected new phenomena, from black holes and gravitational waves to lasers and quantum teleportation.

However, after decades of experience with these two theories, it is now widely recognized that they mark only the beginning.  One of the greatest challenges for 21^st century theoretical physicists, and the core of research at PI, is to find a single, deeper theory that unifies these two pillars of our understanding of the universe.

WHY THIS SCIENCE MATTERS

History reveals, time and again, that achieving a better fundamental understanding of how the universe works can lead to the creation of transformative technologies, with innumerable benefits to society.  The reason is simple:  since any technology relies on the laws of nature, the better we understand those laws, the more powerful and beneficial the technologies we can create.

For example, electricity and magnetism were once thought to be unrelated forces.  Building largely on the experimental work of Faraday, the theorist Maxwell discovered electromagnetism – a single, deeper theory that unifies these two forces.  Faraday and Maxwell’s work eventually led to the development of electric motors, generators, and a safe electric power distribution system (“the grid”), giving ready access to the cleanest and most versatile form of energy the world has ever seen, and having an enormous impact on industry and residential life.  As a further example, when Marconi applied Maxwell’s electromagnetism to send the first wireless message between continents, the Communications Age was born, changing our lives with radio, television, and now cell phones and wireless internet. 

By pondering the nature of space and time, Einstein unexpectedly discovered that matter is a concentrated form of energy, which soon led to an understanding of how stars like our Sun work, by a process called fusion.  These ideas are currently being applied or contemplated in some of the largest-scale science and engineering projects in human history to harness the power of fusion.  Over the 21^st century, these projects may play a role in helping to solve the world’s energy problems, and as a by-product, reducing human impact on the environment and global warming.  As a further example, Einstein’s deeper understanding of the nature of gravity provided the know-how required to build the Global Positioning System (GPS), a profoundly useful technology across a wide spectrum of human endeavours.

To unravel the mysteries of the atom, theoretical physicists developed quantum theory, which has had innumerable spinoff technologies ranging from the transistor (the basis of most of our current computing technology, and at the heart of virtually every electronic device on the planet), the laser (used everywhere from home DVD players to extensive fibre optic communication networks spanning the globe), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and numerous other life-saving medical technologies, and many more.

This is how fundamental understanding drives innovation.  Theoretical physics is always at the root of it.  There is perhaps no other field of science that can have as deep and as broad of an impact on society and how we understand the universe and our place in it.
 
Beyond the beneficial technologies that may eventually emerge from new and fundamental understanding, is the intellectual journey of discovery.  Scientific research is a global effort, and the pursuit of new knowledge – from theory to experiment – provides a framework in which past lessons and new ideas are transferred throughout a great research chain.  This includes the deep understanding that is passed along to new generations of critical thinkers who rise up throughout academia, industry, and all parts of society.  These young innovators will go on to apply their own analytical and technical skills – within or outside of the physics research community – and propel human knowledge even further for the understanding and benefit of all.

James Clerk Maxwell
(1831 - 1879)

Albert Einstein
(1879 - 1955)