Seminar: "The geometric structure underlying the standard model of particle physics" by Dr. Shane Farnsworth

Speaker: Dr. Farnsworth currently holds a Postdoctoral position at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.

Abstract. Many patterns and features in our current models of physics remain deeply mysterious. What determines the symmetries and particle content we observe in experiment for instance? Alain Connes has argued that some of this structure might be captured by `non-commutative geometry'. In this talk I will give a very basic introduction the standard model of particle physics constructed as a non-commutative geometry. I will explain why the construction is compelling, and also point to some of its problems. I will use the problems in the construction to argue that the underlying structure in the physics we see might instead be captured by a certain (Jordan) non-associative geometry.