Sergio Ferrara
Encyclopedia
Sergio Ferrara is an Italian physicist
working on theoretical physics
of elementary particle
s and mathematical physics
. He is renowned for the discovery of theories introducing supersymmetry as a symmetry of elementary particles (Super-Yang-Mills theories, together with B. Zumino ) and of supergravity
, the first significant extension of Einstein's general relativity, based on the principle of "local supersymmetry" (Together with Daniel Z. Freedman
, and Peter van Nieuwenhuizen
). He is a senior staff member at CERN
and a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles
.
in 1968. Since then he has worked as a CNEN
and INFN researcher at the Frascati National Laboratories; as a CNRS Visiting Scientist at the Laboratoire de Physique Théorique, École Normale Supérieure
, Paris, and at the Theoretical Studies Division at CERN
, Geneva
.
, and Peter van Nieuwenhuizen
discovered Supergravity
at Stony Brook University in New York
. It was initially proposed as a four-dimensional theory. The theory of supergravity generalizes Einstein's theory of general relativity by incorporating the principles of supersymmetry
.
in Italy. He became a staff member of the Theory Division at CERN
in 1981. In 1985, he became a Professor of Physics at the University of California, Los Angeles
. Since 1986 he has been a senior staff member of the Physics Department at CERN. He is also Principal Investigator of the European Research Council Advanced Grant SUPERFIELDS.
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
working on theoretical physics
Theoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physics to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena...
of elementary particle
Elementary particle
In particle physics, an elementary particle or fundamental particle is a particle not known to have substructure; that is, it is not known to be made up of smaller particles. If an elementary particle truly has no substructure, then it is one of the basic building blocks of the universe from which...
s and mathematical physics
Mathematical physics
Mathematical physics refers to development of mathematical methods for application to problems in physics. The Journal of Mathematical Physics defines this area as: "the application of mathematics to problems in physics and the development of mathematical methods suitable for such applications and...
. He is renowned for the discovery of theories introducing supersymmetry as a symmetry of elementary particles (Super-Yang-Mills theories, together with B. Zumino ) and of supergravity
Supergravity
In theoretical physics, supergravity is a field theory that combines the principles of supersymmetry and general relativity. Together, these imply that, in supergravity, the supersymmetry is a local symmetry...
, the first significant extension of Einstein's general relativity, based on the principle of "local supersymmetry" (Together with Daniel Z. Freedman
Daniel Z. Freedman
Daniel Z. Freedman is an American theoretical physicist. He is a Professor of Physics and Applied Mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology . He is known for his work in supergravity.-Education:...
, and Peter van Nieuwenhuizen
Peter van Nieuwenhuizen
Peter van Nieuwenhuizen is a Dutch physicist. He is now a distinguished Professor at Stony Brook University in the United States. Van Nieuwenhuizen is best-known for his discovery of supergravity with Sergio Ferrara and Daniel Z...
). He is a senior staff member at CERN
CERN
The European Organization for Nuclear Research , known as CERN , is an international organization whose purpose is to operate the world's largest particle physics laboratory, which is situated in the northwest suburbs of Geneva on the Franco–Swiss border...
and a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
.
Early years
Sergio Ferrara was born on 2 May 1945 in Rome, Italy. He graduated from the University of RomeUniversity of Rome La Sapienza
The Sapienza University of Rome, officially Sapienza – Università di Roma, formerly known as Università degli studi di Roma "La Sapienza", is a coeducational, autonomous state university in Rome, Italy...
in 1968. Since then he has worked as a CNEN
National Nuclear Energy Commission
The National Nuclear Energy Commission is the Brazilian government agency responsible for the orientation, planning, supervision, and control of Brazil's nuclear program. The agency was created on 10 October 1956...
and INFN researcher at the Frascati National Laboratories; as a CNRS Visiting Scientist at the Laboratoire de Physique Théorique, École Normale Supérieure
École Normale Supérieure
The École normale supérieure is one of the most prestigious French grandes écoles...
, Paris, and at the Theoretical Studies Division at CERN
CERN
The European Organization for Nuclear Research , known as CERN , is an international organization whose purpose is to operate the world's largest particle physics laboratory, which is situated in the northwest suburbs of Geneva on the Franco–Swiss border...
, Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
.
Supergravity
In 1976, Sergio Ferrara, Daniel Z. FreedmanDaniel Z. Freedman
Daniel Z. Freedman is an American theoretical physicist. He is a Professor of Physics and Applied Mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology . He is known for his work in supergravity.-Education:...
, and Peter van Nieuwenhuizen
Peter van Nieuwenhuizen
Peter van Nieuwenhuizen is a Dutch physicist. He is now a distinguished Professor at Stony Brook University in the United States. Van Nieuwenhuizen is best-known for his discovery of supergravity with Sergio Ferrara and Daniel Z...
discovered Supergravity
Supergravity
In theoretical physics, supergravity is a field theory that combines the principles of supersymmetry and general relativity. Together, these imply that, in supergravity, the supersymmetry is a local symmetry...
at Stony Brook University in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. It was initially proposed as a four-dimensional theory. The theory of supergravity generalizes Einstein's theory of general relativity by incorporating the principles of supersymmetry
Supersymmetry
In particle physics, supersymmetry is a symmetry that relates elementary particles of one spin to other particles that differ by half a unit of spin and are known as superpartners...
.
Later years
In 1980 he was made a full professor of theoretical physicsTheoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physics to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena...
in Italy. He became a staff member of the Theory Division at CERN
CERN
The European Organization for Nuclear Research , known as CERN , is an international organization whose purpose is to operate the world's largest particle physics laboratory, which is situated in the northwest suburbs of Geneva on the Franco–Swiss border...
in 1981. In 1985, he became a Professor of Physics at the University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
. Since 1986 he has been a senior staff member of the Physics Department at CERN. He is also Principal Investigator of the European Research Council Advanced Grant SUPERFIELDS.
Awards
- Dirac Medal, 1993, ICTP, Trieste. (Shared with Daniel Z. FreedmanDaniel Z. FreedmanDaniel Z. Freedman is an American theoretical physicist. He is a Professor of Physics and Applied Mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology . He is known for his work in supergravity.-Education:...
, and Peter van NieuwenhuizenPeter van NieuwenhuizenPeter van Nieuwenhuizen is a Dutch physicist. He is now a distinguished Professor at Stony Brook University in the United States. Van Nieuwenhuizen is best-known for his discovery of supergravity with Sergio Ferrara and Daniel Z...
)
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- "for their discovery of supergravity theory in 1976 and their major contributions in the subsequent developments of the theory. Their discovery led to an explosion of interest in quantum gravity and it transformed the subject, playing a significant role in very important developments in string theory as well as Kaluza-Klein theory "
-
- Dannie Heineman Prize for Mathematical PhysicsDannie Heineman Prize for Mathematical PhysicsDannie Heineman Prize for Mathematical Physics is an award given each year since 1959 jointly by the American Physical Society and American Institute of Physics. It is established by the Heineman Foundation in honour of Dannie Heineman...
, 2006, American Physical Society. (Shared with Daniel Z. FreedmanDaniel Z. FreedmanDaniel Z. Freedman is an American theoretical physicist. He is a Professor of Physics and Applied Mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology . He is known for his work in supergravity.-Education:...
, and Peter van NieuwenhuizenPeter van NieuwenhuizenPeter van Nieuwenhuizen is a Dutch physicist. He is now a distinguished Professor at Stony Brook University in the United States. Van Nieuwenhuizen is best-known for his discovery of supergravity with Sergio Ferrara and Daniel Z...
)
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- "For constructing supergravity, the first supersymmetric extension of Einstein's theory of general relativity, and for their central role in its subsequent development."
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- Enrico Fermi Prize, 2005, Societa' Italiana di Fisica.
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- "he honoured italian physics with his discoveries, substantially contributing to the discoveries leading to the development of modern gravity theories. For his contribution to the discovery of supergravity theory."
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- Amaldi medal, 2008, SIGRAV,
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- "for his relevant contributions to supergravity models, their matter couplings and their implications for black hole physics, such as the attractor mechanism"
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