An antenna in terms of string theory

In summary, an electron moving back and forth in a radiating antenna is a string moving in space-time. Far away, the electromagnetic radiation of the antenna is made of strings moving in space-time. Can I think of the near electric and magnetic fields surrounding the antenna as made of strings moving in space-time, being emitted and reabsorbed by the antenna?
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Spinnor
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Loosely, in terms of string theory, an electron moving back and forth in a radiating antenna is a string moving in space-time. Far away, the electromagnetic radiation of the antenna is made of strings moving in space-time. Can I think of the near electric and magnetic fields surrounding the antenna as made of strings moving in space-time, being emitted and reabsorbed by the antenna?Thanks!
 
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Are there string world sheets like the below where we have two loops connected by a string and the loops move apart and the string gets longer?

upload_2016-7-2_15-51-45.png


Thanks!
 
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Or this,

upload_2016-7-2_16-10-56.png
 
  • #4
Spinnor said:
Can I think of the near electric and magnetic fields surrounding the antenna as made of strings moving in space-time, being emitted and reabsorbed by the antenna?
Yes, but to be precise, it's a quantum superposition of such emissions and absorptions.

If you think in terms of quantum particles, electronic and electromagnetic phenomena can be understood as superpositions of processes involving the interaction of spin 1/2 and spin 1 point-particles. A charged particle like an electron is surrounded by a cloud of virtual photons and that is its electrostatic field, a propagating electromagnetic wave can be resolved as a superposition of photons of definite momenta, etc.

In principle, the string picture just takes the point-particle picture and adds extra, high-resolution detail. In the particle picture, a particle might be just a pointlike object, at a location in 3-dimensional space, with some associated quantum numbers. In the string picture, the single "location in space" becomes a multidimensional space in itself - the shape of the extra dimensions at that location in 3-dimensional "macro-space" - and the "type of particle" is revealed e.g. as one of the many distinct ways that a string can be placed in those extra dimensions; and something like "electron emits photon" is really e.g. "string in one corner of the extra dimensions wobbles and emits part of itself, which takes up residence in another corner of the extra dimensions".

That's a little vague, but if we picked a particular string model of particle physics, we could be completely precise about the shape of the extra dimensions and about what string configurations correspond to an electron, a photon, or an electron emitting a photon. Topologically, it's simpler than your sketches - the emitted string just buds from the parent string and completely separates from it. What you have drawn resemble "string junctions" or brane complexes that might be relevant for baryons (multiquark states).
 
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Related to An antenna in terms of string theory

1. What is the connection between string theory and antennas?

String theory is a theoretical framework that attempts to reconcile the differences between quantum mechanics and general relativity. In this theory, particles are not point-like objects, but rather tiny strings that vibrate at different frequencies. These vibrations are analogous to the oscillations of an antenna, making string theory a useful tool for understanding the behavior of antennas.

2. Can string theory be used to improve antenna design?

Yes, string theory has been applied to antenna design in various ways. For example, it has been used to optimize the shape and size of antennas for maximum efficiency and to understand how different materials affect the performance of antennas.

3. How does string theory explain the propagation of electromagnetic waves in antennas?

In string theory, the vibrations of strings give rise to the fundamental forces of nature, including the electromagnetic force. This means that the behavior of electromagnetic waves can be described in terms of string vibrations, providing a deeper understanding of how antennas work.

4. Are there any experimental tests to confirm the connection between string theory and antennas?

While there have been no direct experimental tests of the connection between string theory and antennas, there have been experiments that indirectly support this connection. For example, the Large Hadron Collider has provided evidence for the existence of particles predicted by string theory, further supporting its validity.

5. Can string theory be used to improve wireless communication technology?

Yes, string theory has the potential to improve wireless communication technology by providing a deeper understanding of how antennas and other electronic components function. This could lead to the development of more efficient and advanced wireless devices.

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