On Quantum Fields and Sphere Packings

Developments in fundamental physics over the last century have led to the formulation of a universal language successfully describing Nature from the subatomic scale to the universe as a whole. This language is known as quantum field theory. In spite of its many predictive triumphs, quantum field theory has continued to deeply puzzle physicists and mathematicians alike. In my talk, I will sketch what we currently believe quantum field theory is. Along the way, I will explain how recent progress on the sphere packing problem may one day help us understand properties of elementary particles in our Universe.

Bio: Dalimil Mazac works on mathematical approaches to quantum field theory and quantum gravity. He grew up in Prague before moving to the University of Cambridge to study mathematics as an undergraduate. Dalimil then went on to complete his Ph.D. at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in 2017, followed by a postdoctoral appointment at the Stony Brook University. He joined the School of Natural Sciences at the IAS as a Member in Fall 2020.