Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Sundance Bilson-Thompson
School of Chemistry and Physics University of Adelaide Adelaide, Australia

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

INTRODUCTION

Ideas developed in collaboration/discussion with Jonathan Hackett Lou Kauffman Lee Smolin Fotini Markopoulou-Kalamara Isabeau Premont-Schwarz Yidun Wan

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

FERMIONS FROM HELONS

Based on the Shupe-Harari models (1979). Assume three basic components called helons: H+ , H , H0 Combine into triplets. H+ and H together not allowed. Possible combinations are; H+ H+ H+ H0 H0 H0 H H H (e+ ) (e ) (e ) H+ H+ H0 H0 H0 H+ H H H0 H0 H0 H (qu ) (qd ) (qu ) (qd ) H+ H0 H+ H0 H+ H0 H H0 H H0 H H0 (qu ) (qd ) (qu ) (qd ) H0 H+ H+ H+ H0 H0 H0 H H H H0 H0 (qu ) (qd ) (qu ) (qd )

NB: No anti-neutrino Permutations dene colour.

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

FERMIONS FROM HELONS

Based on the Shupe-Harari models (1979). Assume three basic components called helons: H+ , H , H0 Combine into triplets. H+ and H together not allowed. Possible combinations are; H+ H+ H+ H0 H0 H0 H H H (e+ ) (e ) (e ) H+ H+ H0 H0 H0 H+ H H H0 H0 H0 H (qu ) (qd ) (qu ) (qd ) H+ H0 H+ H0 H+ H0 H H0 H H0 H H0 (qu ) (qd ) (qu ) (qd ) H0 H+ H+ H+ H0 H0 H0 H H H H0 H0 (qu ) (qd ) (qu ) (qd )

NB: No anti-neutrino Permutations dene colour.

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

FERMIONS FROM HELONS

Based on the Shupe-Harari models (1979). Assume three basic components called helons: H+ , H , H0 Combine into triplets. H+ and H together not allowed. Possible combinations are; H+ H+ H+ H0 H0 H0 H H H (e+ ) (e ) (e ) H+ H+ H0 H0 H0 H+ H H H0 H0 H0 H (qu ) (qd ) (qu ) (qd ) H+ H0 H+ H0 H+ H0 H H0 H H0 H H0 (qu ) (qd ) (qu ) (qd ) H0 H+ H+ H+ H0 H0 H0 H H H H0 H0 (qu ) (qd ) (qu ) (qd )

NB: No anti-neutrino Permutations dene colour.

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

RELEVANCE TO LQG

Represent spacetime structure by networks (framed). Nodes dual to volumes, connections dual to areas. Twisting and braiding allowed, but these DoFs dont affect area and volume operators. View helons as extended ribbon-like structures Electric charge of helons is twist of ribbons Interpret topology of connections between nodes using helon model

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

RELEVANCE TO LQG

Represent spacetime structure by networks (framed). Nodes dual to volumes, connections dual to areas. Twisting and braiding allowed, but these DoFs dont affect area and volume operators. View helons as extended ribbon-like structures Electric charge of helons is twist of ribbons Interpret topology of connections between nodes using helon model

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

RELEVANCE TO LQG

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

FIRST GENERATION FERMIONS

Construct half the 1st generation fermions from +ve and null twists on a braid

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

FIRST GENERATION FERMIONS

Construct half the 1st generation fermions from +ve and null twists on a braid

Construct the anti-particles as mirror images

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

FIRST GENERATION FERMIONS

Construct half the 1st generation fermions from +ve and null twists on a braid

Construct the anti-particles as mirror images

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

BRAID/TWIST EQUIVALENCE
Fermions are dened by braiding (crossings) and twists. We can ip a node over to exchange twist crossing.

This induces one specic triple of twists; [+, +, ]

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

BRAID/TWIST EQUIVALENCE
We can imagine the node at the "top", and the legs bent "downwards"

Let i be the crossing of leg i over leg i + 1 Let i1 be the crossing of leg i under leg i + 1; [+, +, ] 1 [, +, +] 2
1 [, , +] 1 1 [+, , ] 2

(1) (2)

1 , . . . , N1 are generators of the braid group on N strands.

Sundance Bilson-Thompson Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

BRAID/TWIST EQUIVALENCE
We can imagine the node at the "top", and the legs bent "downwards"

Let i be the crossing of leg i over leg i + 1 Let i1 be the crossing of leg i under leg i + 1; [+, +, ] 1 [, +, +] 2
1 [, , +] 1 1 [+, , ] 2

(1) (2)

1 , . . . , N1 are generators of the braid group on N strands.

Sundance Bilson-Thompson Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

PURE TWIST NUMBERS

We can unravel a braid to obtain its "pure twist form"

The twists dene a triplet of numbers [a, b, c] Braids with the same twist numbers are topologically equivalent Yields the linking numbers for an equivalent link/knot Only works in 3-valent case
Sundance Bilson-Thompson Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

KEEPING IT SIMPLE

Can construct arbitrary braids, in general This node ipping trick combines them into equivalence classes (Hopefully) limits the number and type of fermions If more complex crossings give higher generations, does this limit the number of generations?

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

KEEPING IT SIMPLE

Can construct arbitrary braids, in general This node ipping trick combines them into equivalence classes (Hopefully) limits the number and type of fermions If more complex crossings give higher generations, does this limit the number of generations?

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

KEEPING IT SIMPLE

Can construct arbitrary braids, in general This node ipping trick combines them into equivalence classes (Hopefully) limits the number and type of fermions If more complex crossings give higher generations, does this limit the number of generations?

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Braided Networks Extracting the standard model Braids and Twists

KEEPING IT SIMPLE

Can construct arbitrary braids, in general This node ipping trick combines them into equivalence classes (Hopefully) limits the number and type of fermions If more complex crossings give higher generations, does this limit the number of generations?

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Weak Interactions Bosons

WEAK INTERACTIONS
Braid product links braids top-to-bottom (i . . . j ) (k . . . l ) = i . . . j k . . . l Twists can spread up and down the strands Hence charges can be exchanged, turning up quarks into down quarks, electrons into neutrinos, and so on

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Weak Interactions Bosons

WEAK INTERACTIONS
Braid product links braids top-to-bottom (i . . . j ) (k . . . l ) = i . . . j k . . . l Twists can spread up and down the strands Hence charges can be exchanged, turning up quarks into down quarks, electrons into neutrinos, and so on

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Weak Interactions Bosons

BOSONS
Weak interactions suggest bosons are braids which induce trivial permutations Simplest case;

Other braids which induce trivial permutations are possible, in principle

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Weak Interactions Bosons

INTERACTIONS IN NETWORKS
Interactions are quite constrained - must not undo all network structure. Need to create twists in opposing pairs Braid product requires that braids join base to base

Nodes act like (composite) 4-valent nodes Need a move that allows opposing twists to form over 4-valent nodes

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Weak Interactions Bosons

INTERACTIONS IN NETWORKS
Interactions are quite constrained - must not undo all network structure. Need to create twists in opposing pairs Braid product requires that braids join base to base

Nodes act like (composite) 4-valent nodes Need a move that allows opposing twists to form over 4-valent nodes

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Weak Interactions Bosons

3-VALENT OR 4-VALENT?

Yidun Wan developed ideas of braids on 4-valent networks, using dual Pachner moves (1-4 and 2-3)

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Weak Interactions Bosons

3-VALENT OR 4-VALENT?
Braids can be made to interact

Wans braids seemed to naturally fall into two categories (fermions and bosons?) Node ipping only reduces braids to pure twist form in the 3-valent case
Sundance Bilson-Thompson Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Weak Interactions Bosons

3-VALENT OR 4-VALENT?
Braids can be made to interact

Wans braids seemed to naturally fall into two categories (fermions and bosons?) Node ipping only reduces braids to pure twist form in the 3-valent case
Sundance Bilson-Thompson Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Weak Interactions Bosons

COMBINING THE BEST BITS

Can convert twist to crossings and vice-versa Take four 3-valent nodes in helon model, to make two 4-valent nodes Twist in one strand becomes crossing in others before we shrink them down

Obtain a restricted version of Wans braids (one strand is twist-free)

Sundance Bilson-Thompson Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Weak Interactions Bosons

PROBLEMS THAT KEEP ME AWAKE AT NIGHT

Do we have exotic particle species, or processes? How do we make interactions occur? Can we describe Cabbibo mixing, neutrino oscillations? Origin of inertial mass? Is there a limit to the number of generations? Why is the weak interaction so weird?

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Weak Interactions Bosons

PROBLEMS THAT KEEP ME AWAKE AT NIGHT

Do we have exotic particle species, or processes? How do we make interactions occur? Can we describe Cabbibo mixing, neutrino oscillations? Origin of inertial mass? Is there a limit to the number of generations? Why is the weak interaction so weird?

Sundance Bilson-Thompson

Braided topology and the emergence of matter

Introduction Interactions

Weak Interactions Bosons

REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

Related papers hep-ph/0503213 A topological model of composite preons (S. Bilson-Thompson) hep-th/0603022 QG and the standard model (S. Bilson-Thompson, F. Markopolou, L. Smolin) arXiv:0804.0037 Particle identications from symmetries of braided ribbon network invariants (S. Bilson-Thompson, J. Hackett, L. Kauffman, L. Smolin) arXiv:0903.1376 Particle topology, braids, and braided belts (S. Bilson-Thompson, J. Hackett, L. Kauffman) arXiv:0710.1548 Propogation and interaction of chiral states in Quantum Gravity (Y. Wan, L. Smolin)
Sundance Bilson-Thompson Braided topology and the emergence of matter