Research
In 1973 Wilczek, a graduate student working with David Gross at Princeton University, discovered asymptotic freedom, which holds that the closer quarks are to each other, the less the strong interaction (or color charge) between them; when quarks are in extreme proximity, the nuclear force between them is so weak that they behave almost as free particles. The theory, which was independently discovered by H. David Politzer, was important for the development of quantum chromodynamics.
Wilczek has helped to reveal and develop axions, anyons, asymptotic freedom, the color superconducting phases of quark matter, and other aspects of quantum field theory. He has worked on an unusually wide range of topics, ranging across condensed matter physics, astrophysics, and particle physics.
- Current research
- "Pure" particle physics: connections between theoretical ideas and observable phenomena;
- behavior of matter: phase structure of quark matter at ultra-high temperature and density; color superconductivity;
- application of particle physics to cosmology;
- application of field theory techniques to condensed matter physics;
- quantum theory of black holes.
Read more about this topic: Frank Wilczek
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