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Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have uncovered a new series representation for the mathematical constant pi, while investigating its applications in string theory and quantum physics. The breakthrough provides a more straightforward method for deriving pi in calculations, particularly those involving the quantum scattering of high-energy particles.
The discovery aligns closely with the pi series developed by 15th-century Indian mathematician Sangamagrama Madhava, the earliest recorded series for pi. The research, led by post-doc Arnab Saha and Professor Aninda Sinha from the Centre for High Energy Physics (CHEP), was recently published in Physical Review Letters.
Professor Sinha explained that their primary focus was on high-energy physics within quantum theory, aiming to simplify models to understand particle interactions better. “Our excitement was palpable when we realized we had found a new way to represent pi,” Sinha stated. This representation is particularly relevant to their work on string theory, which views quantum processes as different vibrational modes on a string, and aims to reduce the complexity of modeling interactions like those observed in the Large Hadron Collider.
In their quest for efficiency, Saha and Sinha combined the Euler-Beta Function and the Feynman Diagram to refine the mathematical tools available for representing these particle interactions. This led not only to an effective model for explaining particle behavior but also to a practical series representation of pi that enhances the speed and accuracy of scientific computations.
The researchers believe that, while their findings are currently theoretical, they hold the potential for future practical applications, drawing parallels to historical theoretical discoveries that eventually found significant practical use, such as in medical imaging technologies like PET scans. Sinha concluded, “The pure joy of exploring theoretical physics, even if its immediate application isn’t apparent, is profound and essential for scientific advancement.”
Source: Indian Institute of Science
