Preface

Details Preface Preface

Jan 2005

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005phst..117....5d&link_type=abstract

Physica Scripta, Volume T117, pp. 5-9 (2005).

Mathematics

Logic

Scientific paper

The idea of organizing a Nobel Symposium focusing on the recent exciting developments in the overlap between string theory and cosmology was born about two years prior to the meeting. The progress, both observational and theoretical, was sparked off by the spectacular new measurements of the geometry and content of the universe. These included ever more accurate observations of the cosmological background radiation testing our ideas of the very early universe, as well as observations of distant supernovae indicating that the universe is in a phase of accelerated expansion.
This development was a fertile ground for cosmologists as well as for the string community where people were looking for contacts with observations by applying string theory at the cosmological scale. We are now witnessing the impact of improved observational data coming in regularly, and on the theory side, the appearence of large amounts of collaborative work between cosmologists and string theorists. In view of these facts, we believe that the timing of the Symposium was close to optimal.
As organizers, we felt very pleased with the Symposium, and were very happy to see so many prominent scientists being enthusiastic about the meeting. We direct our most profound thanks for the success of the Symposium to all the participants. A special thanks goes to the speakers and chairmen. With half of the time allocated for discussions in the sessions, each one devoted to a particular issue, it was of paramount importance that the chairmen could get both cosmologists and string theorists to contribute with their views and expertice to penetrate the questions to the limit. The resulting debates in several sessions will linger in the memories of those present for many years to come.
The Symposium ended with a question and answer session with the whole audience acting as panel. The participants had been asked to formulate what they thought were the key questions in the field. Although consensus was not always reached, it was clear to everyone that the issues discussed at the Symposium (and documented in this book) are among the most fascinating topics in contemporary Physics. Our most sincere thanks go to professors Lars Brink, David Gross, and Michael Turner for organizing this grand final.
The outcome of a Symposium like this depends to a very large extent on the place where it was held and its surroundings. The choice fell on the small historic town of Sigtuna and the Sigtuna Stiftelsen (Sigtuna Foundation), a Mediterranean inspired building complex and conference center from the beginning of the last century, with a rich tradition of hosting the most famous individuals in the cultural life of Sweden. The building itself, the proximity to the lake Mälaren, and the picturesque town made the stay a wonderful experience. Our deep gratitude is also directed to the personnel in Sigtuna who with a smile made everything possible and the stay a very pleasant one. Important help was also provided by the scientific secretaries of the Symposium, Martin Olsson and Henric Larsson.
We also want to emphasize the crucial role played by the international advisory committee consisting of L Bergström, L Brink, P Di Vecchia, D Gross, R Kallosh, M Rees, H Rubinstein, and M Turner. We are deeply grateful for their work, especially during the preliminary planning of the meeting. The Klein lecture committee and the Swedish Academy of Sciences are acknowledged for organizing an impressive end to the Symposium in Stockholm. The public lectures by David Gross and Andrei Linde followed by the Klein lecture by Stephen Hawking were attended by an audience of over 1200 people, while several other hundred were unable to enter the already full lecture room. This event was certainly among the scientific highlights of the year in Sweden. Finally, we would like to extend our gratitude to the Nobel foundation for providing the financial support.

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