Quantum Duality -- whereby two very different classical theories are quantum mechanically identical -- is a fascinating but poorly understood phenomenon. Until recently it was thought of as a rare and interesting curiosity, a useful trick for solving a small class of problems. Today we know that duality is a property of most quantum field theories and all string theories. I will explore some simple examples of duality, and explain why duality is conceptually and technically important. Then I will discuss in more detail a specific case of great importance: a deep connection between the strong nuclear interaction, which binds quarks together into protons and neutrons, and string theory.

ANL Physics Division Colloquium Schedule