Werner Nahm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Werner Nahm
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Nahm in 2004
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| Born | 21 March 1949 |
| Alma mater | Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 1970 |
| Known for | Nahm equations D=11 is the largest number of dimensions consistent with a single graviton in supergravity theories |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Theoretical physics |
| Institutions | University of Bonn, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies |
| Doctoral students | Katrin Wendland Melanie Becker Ralph Kaufmann |
Werner Nahm (born March 21, 1949) is a German theoretical physicist. This means he is a scientist who uses math and ideas to understand how the universe works. He has made important discoveries in mathematical physics and the basic rules of physics.
Contents
Discovering Werner Nahm's Work
Early Life and Education
Werner Nahm went to high school at Gymnasium Philippinum Weilburg. After finishing school in 1966, he studied at two universities in Germany: the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main and the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. He earned his first degree in physics in 1970.
He continued his studies and received his PhD in 1972 from the University of Bonn. His PhD paper was about a topic called Analytical solution of the statistical bootstrap model. After getting his PhD, he worked as a researcher at the University of Bonn until 1975. From 1976 to 1982, he was a scientist at CERN, which is a famous research center for particle physics.
His Career in Physics
In 1982, Werner Nahm returned to the University of Bonn as a special research fellow. Later, in 1986, he became a professor at the University of California, Davis, in the United States. From 1989 to 2002, he was a full professor back at the University of Bonn.
Since 2002, he has been a senior professor at the School of Theoretical Physics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies in Ireland. He became the director of this school in 2007. He is also a foreign member of the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in Bonn.
Key Contributions to Physics
In the 1970s, Werner Nahm studied the basic rules of elementary particles. He worked on ideas like "bootstrap models" and helped classify special mathematical structures called "graded Lie algebras." These structures are very important in theories like supersymmetry, which suggests that every particle has a "superpartner."
Later, he focused on other big ideas in physics:
- Magnetic monopoles: These are like magnets that have only a north pole or only a south pole, unlike regular magnets that always have both.
- Supersymmetric models: Different ways to describe how supersymmetry might work.
- Conformal field theories: These are special theories that describe particles and forces in a way that looks the same no matter how you stretch or shrink the space.
- String models: Theories that suggest tiny vibrating strings are the basic building blocks of the universe.
The Nahm equations, developed in 1981, are named after him. These equations help describe magnetic monopoles in certain physics theories. He also developed something called the Nahm transform.
Understanding Space-Time Dimensions
In 1978, Werner Nahm made a very important discovery. He showed that the largest possible number of dimensions for certain "supersymmetric theories" is 11. This means that if our universe has more dimensions than the four we usually think about (three space dimensions and one time dimension), then 11 is the maximum number that fits with these theories.
Soon after his prediction, other scientists built the "eleven-dimensional supergravity theory." This idea is important because scientists believe that these theories, which include extra dimensions, could help create a "unified field theory." A unified field theory would explain all the basic forces of nature (like gravity and electromagnetism) with one set of rules.
Research on the Maya Civilization
Besides physics, Werner Nahm also studied the ancient Mayan civilisation. He researched their amazing knowledge of astronomy. For example, he looked at how the planet Venus and its different phases were used in their calendar predictions. This was important for the Maya when they planned events, including wars.
In his Mayan research, he worked with other experts like Linda Schele and Nikolai Grube. He also helped with the ongoing work to understand Maya hieroglyphs, which are their ancient writings. He even found clues in Mayan texts about events like supernova explosions (huge star explosions) and observations of the planet Mercury.
Guiding New Scientists
Werner Nahm has guided many students who went on to become successful scientists. Some of his doctoral students include Katrin Becker, Melanie Becker, Ralph Kaufmann, and Katrin Wendland.
Other Important Roles
Werner Nahm is a member of several important scientific groups:
- Member of the Royal Irish Academy
- Member of the Academy of Sciences and Literature Mainz
- Member (Fellow) of the Royal Society
Awards and Honors
Werner Nahm has received several awards for his contributions to science:
- 2012: Gothenburg Lise Meitner Prize of TH Chalmers
- 2013: Max Planck Medal
- 2014: Royal Irish Academy Gold Medal in Physical and Mathematical Sciences
Works
