Physics Master of Science Thesis Defense by Ryan Debolt
Physics Master of Science Thesis Defense
by Ryan Debolt
Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
Time: 8am
Topic: On the Motion of Branes
Location: SENG 201
Abstract:
Branes are a type of multidimensional object predicted to exist in some physical models containing extra dimensions. They are dynamical spaces that generalize the concept of a particle and can move through higher-dimensional spaces. Unlike the traditional point particle, branes may also embed observers that are free to travel within their bounds. Consider a scenario where a 4D Minkowski metric is induced on a brane that travels in a higher-dimensional space containing a single, circularly compactified spatial dimension. Prior explorations of such a world describe observable consequences of Lorentz boosts on the brane in the extra dimension, boosts on the observer along the brane, and wrapping the brane around the compact dimension. We expand on this work by considering the most general cases that involve these three operations. We then further extend the scope of this braneworld to include constant accelerations rather than constant velocity boosts. Such scenarios cause violations of global Lorentz symmetry, leading to apparent superluminal signal propagation in some frames without violating the causality of the system. The detection of signals described here could indicate the existence of extra dimensions as predicted by some physical models.
Advisor: Dr. David Kagan, Department of Physics
Committee members:
Dr. Sarah Caudill, Department of Physics
Dr. Robert Fisher, Department of Physics
NOTE: All PHY Graduate Students are ENCOURAGED to attend.
SENG 201