Modern physics is rooted in two paradigmatic principles: the universe is made of particles with wave-like characteristics, and those particles are only influenced by their immediate surroundings -- an idea called the principle of locality. For the past 30 years, a class of copper-based materials has defied explanation in terms of these basic concepts, thus forcing a potentially groundbreaking rethinking of theoretical physics' foundation. In this talk I will explore recent attempts to model these materials by abandoning particle- and locality-based perspectives of nature. I will show how these models necessitate the existence of dimensions beyond the space of daily life, raising the question: is copper a window into deeper structure of our universe?

Argonne Physics Division Colloquium Schedule