Electric–Magnetic Duality and the Dualized Standard Model

Abstract

In these lectures I shall explain how a new-found nonabelian duality can be used to solve some outstanding questions in particle physics. The first lecture introduces the concept of electromagnetic duality and goes on to present its nonabelian generalization in terms of loop space variables. The second lecture discusses certain puzzles that remain with the Standard Model of particle physics, particularly aimed at nonexperts. The third lecture presents a solution to these problems in the form of the Dualized Standard Model, first proposed by Chan and the author, using nonabelian dual symmetry. The fundamental particles exist in three generations, and if this is a manifestation of dual colour symmetry, which by 't Hooft's theorem is necessarily broken, then we have a natural explanation of the generation puzzle, together with tested and testable consequences not only in particle physics, but also in astrophysics, nuclear and atomic physics. Reported is mainly work done in collaboration with Chan Hong-Mo, and also various parts with Peter Scharbach, Jacqueline Faridani, José Bordes, Jakov Pfaudler, Ricardo Gallego severally.