TEDxBerlin
James Beacham: How we explore unanswered questions in physics
詹姆斯 · 巴沙穆: 如何探索物理的未解題？
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詹姆斯 · 巴沙穆用最大型的科學實驗儀器，即 CERN 的「大強子對撞機（LHC）」，試圖解答重要而仍未有解的物理謎題。巴沙穆在這有趣而易懂的演講中，帶領我們進入增加另一度空間的旅程，尋找尚未被發現的基本粒子，以期解釋「弱」重力之謎，並堅持繼續探索的動力。
James Beacham - Experimental particle physicist
James Beacham is an experimental high-energy particle physicist working with the ATLAS collaboration at CERN's Large Hadron Collider. Full bio
James Beacham is an experimental high-energy particle physicist working with the ATLAS collaboration at CERN's Large Hadron Collider. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:13
There is something about physics
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物理學中有件事情
00:17
that has been really bothering me
since I was a little kid.
since I was a little kid.
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自幼時就一直非常困擾我。
00:23
And it's related to a question
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近百年來科學家思索著這個問題
00:24
that scientists have been asking
for almost 100 years,
for almost 100 years,
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00:28
with no answer.
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但沒有答案。
00:31
How do the smallest things in nature,
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自然界中最小的東西，
即量子世界的微粒子，如何與
即量子世界的微粒子，如何與
00:34
the particles of the quantum world,
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00:36
match up with the largest
things in nature --
things in nature --
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自然界中最大的東西，即星系裡
以重力連結的行星和恆星相對應呢？
以重力連結的行星和恆星相對應呢？
00:39
planets and stars and galaxies
held together by gravity?
held together by gravity?
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00:43
As a kid, I would puzzle
over questions just like this.
over questions just like this.
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童年的我，為這樣的問題搜索枯腸。
00:46
I would fiddle around
with microscopes and electromagnets,
with microscopes and electromagnets,
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我操作顯微鏡和電磁鐵，
00:48
and I would read
about the forces of the small
about the forces of the small
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我研讀微物質的力學
00:51
and about quantum mechanics
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和量子力學，
00:52
and I would marvel at how well
that description matched up
that description matched up
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讚嘆其描述和我們的觀察
是如此的相應。
是如此的相應。
00:56
to our observation.
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00:58
Then I would look at the stars,
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我也觀看星星，
00:59
and I would read about how well
we understand gravity,
we understand gravity,
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閱讀我們所知的重力，
01:02
and I would think surely,
there must be some elegant way
there must be some elegant way
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想當然耳，大和小的兩個系統
必然有種精美而優雅的相應方式。
必然有種精美而優雅的相應方式。
01:05
that these two systems match up.
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01:09
But there's not.
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但可惜卻沒有。
01:11
And the books would say,
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根據書本，
01:12
yeah, we understand a lot
about these two realms separately,
about these two realms separately,
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我們很懂這兩個各別的系統，
01:16
but when we try to link
them mathematically,
them mathematically,
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但是一旦嘗試以數學模式來連結，
01:18
everything breaks.
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就完全行不通了。
01:20
And for 100 years,
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百年來，
01:22
none of our ideas as to how to solve
this basically physics disaster,
this basically physics disaster,
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我們對於如何解決
這基本的物理問題一籌莫展，
這基本的物理問題一籌莫展，
01:27
has ever been supported by evidence.
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沒有可以支持的證據。
01:30
And to little old me --
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對於小老弟在下 --
01:31
little, curious, skeptical James --
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小小，好奇，不信服的詹姆斯 --
01:33
this was a supremely unsatisfying answer.
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這是絕對不可接受的。
01:38
So, I'm still a skeptical little kid.
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今天的我，仍是個不易信服的小孩。
01:40
Flash-forward now
to December of 2015,
to December of 2015,
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時間快轉到 2015 年十二月，
01:45
when I found myself smack in the middle
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我重拍額頭
01:47
of the physics world
being flipped on its head.
being flipped on its head.
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突有個物理世界裡的靈光一閃。
01:51
It all started when we at CERN
saw something intriguing in our data:
saw something intriguing in our data:
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始自我們在 CERN
看到有趣的數據：
看到有趣的數據：
01:55
a hint of a new particle,
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它們隱射一種新的粒子，
01:57
an inkling of a possibly extraordinary
answer to this question.
answer to this question.
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暗示一個可能不同凡響的解答。
02:03
So I'm still a skeptical
little kid, I think,
little kid, I think,
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我仍是個不信服的小子，
02:05
but I'm also now a particle hunter.
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現在也是個找尋粒子的人。
02:08
I am a physicist at CERN's
Large Hadron Collider,
Large Hadron Collider,
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我是 CERN 的物理學家，
用「大強子對撞機（LHC）」，
用「大強子對撞機（LHC）」，
02:11
the largest science
experiment ever mounted.
experiment ever mounted.
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一具到目前為止所安裝過的
最大型的科學實驗儀器。
最大型的科學實驗儀器。
02:15
It's a 27-kilometer tunnel
on the border of France and Switzerland
on the border of France and Switzerland
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這是條在法國和瑞士邊界間的
二十七公里長的隧道，
二十七公里長的隧道，
02:19
buried 100 meters underground.
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埋在一百公尺深的地下。
02:21
And in this tunnel,
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隧道裡，
02:22
we use superconducting magnets
colder than outer space
colder than outer space
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我們用比外太空更低溫的超導磁體
02:26
to accelerate protons
to almost the speed of light
to almost the speed of light
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把質子加速到接近光速，
02:29
and slam them into each other
millions of times per second,
millions of times per second,
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使它們每秒彼此互相撞擊數百萬次，
02:33
collecting the debris of these collisions
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收集碰撞的碎片，
02:36
to search for new, undiscovered
fundamental particles.
fundamental particles.
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搜索新的，尚未被發現的基本粒子。
02:40
Its design and construction
took decades of work
took decades of work
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其設計和施工費時幾十年，
02:43
by thousands of physicists
from around the globe,
from around the globe,
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全球各地數以千計
的物理學家通力合作，
的物理學家通力合作，
02:46
and in the summer of 2015,
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在 2015 年夏天，
02:48
we had been working tirelessly
to switch on the LHC
to switch on the LHC
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我們不眠不休地讓
LHC 開始運轉，
LHC 開始運轉，
02:52
at the highest energy that humans
have ever used in a collider experiment.
have ever used in a collider experiment.
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實驗用到人類前所未有的
最高撞擊能量。
最高撞擊能量。
02:57
Now, higher energy is important
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高能量至關重要，對粒子而言，
03:00
because for particles,
there is an equivalence
there is an equivalence
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能量和質量轉換守恆，
03:02
between energy and particle mass,
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03:04
and mass is just a number
put there by nature.
put there by nature.
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質量只是個自然界擺在那兒的數字。
03:08
To discover new particles,
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為要發現新的粒子，
03:09
we need to reach these bigger numbers.
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我們必須耗費更多的能量。
03:11
And to do that, we have to build
a bigger, higher energy collider,
a bigger, higher energy collider,
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因此，我們必須建造更大、
更耗能的對撞機；
更耗能的對撞機；
03:14
and the biggest, highest
energy collider in the world
energy collider in the world
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而世界上最大的對撞機
03:17
is the Large Hadron Collider.
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是 LHC。
03:20
And then, we collide protons
quadrillions of times,
quadrillions of times,
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然後，我們碰撞質子
千萬億（10 的 24 方）次
千萬億（10 的 24 方）次
03:25
and we collect this data very slowly,
over months and months.
over months and months.
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我們經年累月慢慢地收集資料。
03:30
And then new particles might show up
in our data as bumps --
in our data as bumps --
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或許新的粒子會以突起的形狀
呈現在資料的平滑線外 --
呈現在資料的平滑線外 --
03:35
slight deviations from what you expect,
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稍微偏離預期值，
03:37
little clusters of data points
that make a smooth line not so smooth.
that make a smooth line not so smooth.
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小小群集的數據點，
使得平滑的線不再那麼地平滑。
使得平滑的線不再那麼地平滑。
03:42
For example, this bump,
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例如，這個凸起，
03:45
after months of data-taking in 2012,
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2012 年累月的數據採集後，
03:47
led to the discovery
of the Higgs particle --
of the Higgs particle --
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導致發現了「希格斯粒子」，
03:49
the Higgs boson --
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或稱「希格斯玻色子」，
03:50
and to a Nobel Prize
for the confirmation of its existence.
for the confirmation of its existence.
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和因證明它存在而獲得的諾貝爾奬。
03:55
This jump up in energy in 2015
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2015 年看到的能量凸起
04:00
represented the best chance
that we as a species had ever had
that we as a species had ever had
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代表人類發現新粒子的絕佳機會
04:03
of discovering new particles --
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04:05
new answers to these
long-standing questions,
long-standing questions,
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這些長期謎題的新解答，
04:07
because it was almost
twice as much energy as we used
twice as much energy as we used
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因它所耗的能量幾乎是
發現希格斯玻色子時耗能的兩倍。
發現希格斯玻色子時耗能的兩倍。
04:10
when we discovered the Higgs boson.
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04:12
Many of my colleagues had been working
their entire careers for this moment,
their entire careers for this moment,
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我的許多同事
整個職涯都在追尋此刻，
整個職涯都在追尋此刻，
04:16
and frankly, to little curious me,
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坦率地說，對好奇的我而言，
04:18
this was the moment
I'd been waiting for my entire life.
I'd been waiting for my entire life.
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這是我一輩子等待的時刻。
04:21
So 2015 was go time.
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2015 年是跳下去做，
不回頭的時刻。
不回頭的時刻。
04:24
So June 2015,
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因此於 2015 年六月，
04:27
the LHC is switched back on.
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LHC 又運轉了。
04:31
My colleagues and I held our breath
and bit our fingernails,
and bit our fingernails,
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同事和我屏息、緊張又興奮，
04:33
and then finally we saw
the first proton collisions
the first proton collisions
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終於看到質子以有史以來
最高的能量互撞。
最高的能量互撞。
04:36
at this highest energy ever.
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04:38
Applause, champagne, celebration.
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鼓掌，開香檳，慶祝。
04:40
This was a milestone for science,
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這是科學的里程碑，
04:44
and we had no idea what we would find
in this brand-new data.
in this brand-new data.
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我們不知道會在
這全新的數據裡找到什麼。
這全新的數據裡找到什麼。
04:51
And then a few weeks later,
we found a bump.
we found a bump.
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數週後，我們發現了凸起的數據。
04:56
It wasn't a very big bump,
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凸起雖不算大，
04:58
but it was big enough to make
you raise your eyebrow.
you raise your eyebrow.
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但已足以讓人訝異。
05:01
But on a scale of one to 10
for eyebrow raises,
for eyebrow raises,
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從 1 到 10 的訝異程度，
05:03
if 10 indicates that you've
discovered a new particle,
discovered a new particle,
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10 代表你已發現了新的粒子，
這是個程度大約 4 的訝異。
05:06
this eyebrow raise is about a four.
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05:08
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
05:10
I spent hours, days, weeks
in secret meetings,
in secret meetings,
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我花了無數的時間秘密開會，
05:15
arguing with my colleagues
over this little bump,
over this little bump,
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和同事辯論這個小凸起，
05:18
poking and prodding it with our most
ruthless experimental sticks
ruthless experimental sticks
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努力在雞蛋裏挑骨頭，
05:21
to see if it would withstand scrutiny.
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看它是否經得起最嚴厲的檢視。
05:23
But even after months
of working feverishly --
of working feverishly --
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即使在數月不眠不休地工作後 --
05:27
sleeping in our offices
and not going home,
and not going home,
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不回家，而是睡在辦公室，
05:29
candy bars for dinner,
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以糖果零嘴當晚餐，
05:32
coffee by the bucketful --
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大桶大桶地喝咖啡 --
05:33
physicists are machines
for turning coffee into diagrams --
for turning coffee into diagrams --
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物理學家就是
把咖啡變成圖表的機器 --
把咖啡變成圖表的機器 --
05:37
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
05:39
This little bump would not go away.
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這個小凸起並未消失。
05:42
So after a few months,
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幾個月後，
05:44
we presented our little bump to the world
with a very clear message:
with a very clear message:
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我們向世界展示了這個小凸起
和一個非常明確的信息：
和一個非常明確的信息：
05:49
this little bump is interesting
but it's not definitive,
but it's not definitive,
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這個小凸起有趣，但是不明確，
05:52
so let's keep an eye on it
as we take more data.
as we take more data.
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讓我們收集更多的數據
並持續關注它。
並持續關注它。
05:55
So we were trying to be
extremely cool about it.
extremely cool about it.
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我們試圖非常冷靜地看待它。
05:59
And the world ran with it anyway.
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儘管如此，世界隨它起舞。
06:02
The news loved it.
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新聞界喜愛它。
06:04
People said it reminded
them of the little bump
them of the little bump
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人們說它像是落在引導發現
希格斯玻色子路上的那個小凸起。
希格斯玻色子路上的那個小凸起。
06:07
that was shown on the way
toward the Higgs boson discovery.
toward the Higgs boson discovery.
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更棒的是，我的理論派同事們 --
06:10
Better than that,
my theorist colleagues --
my theorist colleagues --
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06:14
I love my theorist colleagues --
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我喜歡我的理論派同事們 --
06:16
my theorist colleagues wrote
500 papers about this little bump.
500 papers about this little bump.
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我的理論派同事們寫了五百篇
關於這個小凸起的文章。
關於這個小凸起的文章。
06:20
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
06:22
The world of particle physics
had been flipped on its head.
had been flipped on its head.
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粒子物理學的世界已然翻轉。
06:27
But what was it about this particular bump
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這個小凸起的什麼特點
06:32
that caused thousands of physicists
to collectively lose their cool?
to collectively lose their cool?
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使得成千上萬的物理學家
熱血沸騰呢？
熱血沸騰呢？
06:37
This little bump was unique.
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這個小凸起獨一無二。
06:40
This little bump indicated
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這個小凸起顯示
06:41
that we were seeing an unexpectedly
large number of collisions
large number of collisions
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我們看到了意料之外的大量碰撞，
06:44
whose debris consisted
of only two photons,
of only two photons,
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碰撞後只殘留兩個光子，
06:47
two particles of light.
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兩個光粒子。
06:49
And that's rare.
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這相當罕見。
06:51
Particle collisions are not
like automobile collisions.
like automobile collisions.
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粒子碰撞不像汽車碰撞。
06:53
They have different rules.
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碰撞的規則不同。
06:55
When two particles collide
at almost the speed of light,
at almost the speed of light,
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當兩個粒子以接近光速的速度互撞，
06:57
the quantum world takes over.
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行為就由量子世界的規則所掌控。
06:59
And in the quantum world,
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在量子世界中，
07:00
these two particles
can briefly create a new particle
can briefly create a new particle
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這兩個粒子能短暫地
創造一個新粒子，
創造一個新粒子，
07:03
that lives for a tiny fraction of a second
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只瞬間存在，
07:06
before splitting into other particles
that hit our detector.
that hit our detector.
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頃刻後分裂成其他粒子，
並擊中我們的偵測器。
並擊中我們的偵測器。
07:09
Imagine a car collision
where the two cars vanish upon impact,
where the two cars vanish upon impact,
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想像一下兩輛汽車互撞，
汽車在相撞的當下消失，
汽車在相撞的當下消失，
07:13
a bicycle appears in their place --
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原地出現了一輛自行車 --
07:15
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
07:16
And then that bicycle explodes
into two skateboards,
into two skateboards,
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那輛自行車緊接著爆炸，
變成兩個滑板，
變成兩個滑板，
07:18
which hit our detector.
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撞到我們的偵測器。
07:20
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
07:21
Hopefully, not literally.
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當然不是字面上的撞上，
07:23
They're very expensive.
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偵測器可是很貴的啊。
07:26
Events where only two photons
hit out detector are very rare.
hit out detector are very rare.
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僅僅兩個光子撞擊偵測器
的事件非常地罕見。
的事件非常地罕見。
07:29
And because of the special
quantum properties of photons,
quantum properties of photons,
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由於光子具有量子的特性，
07:33
there's a very small number
of possible new particles --
of possible new particles --
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新粒子，也就是這些虛搆的自行車，
出現的機率相當罕見，
出現的機率相當罕見，
07:37
these mythical bicycles --
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07:39
that can give birth to only two photons.
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只產生兩個光子的新粒子非常罕見。
07:41
But one of these options is huge,
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但是有一選項極可能發生，
07:44
and it has to do with
that long-standing question
that long-standing question
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和一個長期存在的未解題有關，
07:47
that bothered me as a tiny little kid,
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就是那個自幼就困擾我的重力問題。
07:50
about gravity.
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或許你認為重力強而有力，
07:53
Gravity may seem super strong to you,
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07:56
but it's actually crazily weak
compared to the other forces of nature.
compared to the other forces of nature.
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但是相較於自然界的其他力量，
它其實超弱的。
它其實超弱的。
08:00
I can briefly beat gravity when I jump,
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當我跳起時，能夠短暫地擺脫重力，
08:04
but I can't pick a proton out of my hand.
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但我卻無法用手撿起一粒質子。
08:08
The strength of gravity compared
to the other forces of nature?
to the other forces of nature?
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相較於自然界的其他力量，
重力的強度如何呢？
重力的強度如何呢？
08:12
It's 10 to the minus 39.
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是 10 的負 39 次方。
08:14
That's a decimal with 39 zeros after it.
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小數點之後跟著 39 個零。
08:17
Worse than that,
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更糟的是，
08:18
all of the other known forces of nature
are perfectly described
are perfectly described
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所有其他已知的自然界力量都可被
所謂的「標準模型」完美地描述。
所謂的「標準模型」完美地描述。
08:21
by this thing we call the Standard Model,
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08:23
which is our current best description
of nature at its smallest scales,
of nature at its smallest scales,
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那是我們目前描述自然界
最小尺度的最佳模型。
最小尺度的最佳模型。
08:27
and quite frankly,
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坦白說，
08:28
one of the most successful
achievements of humankind --
achievements of humankind --
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那是人類最大的成就之一，
08:32
except for gravity, which is absent
from the Standard Model.
from the Standard Model.
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重力標準模型不存在是唯一的例外。
08:36
It's crazy.
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難以置信。
08:38
It's almost as though most
of gravity has gone missing.
of gravity has gone missing.
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彷彿大部分的重力消失不見了。
08:42
We feel a little bit of it,
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我們察覺到少許重力，
08:44
but where's the rest of it?
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但其他的部分呢？
08:45
No one knows.
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沒有人知道。
08:48
But one theoretical explanation
proposes a wild solution.
proposes a wild solution.
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但有個理論提供了瘋狂的解釋。
08:54
You and I --
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你們和我 --
08:55
even you in the back --
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包括坐在後面的諸位 --
08:57
we live in three dimensions of space.
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我們生活在三度空間裡。
08:59
I hope that's a
non-controversial statement.
non-controversial statement.
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希望這並無爭議。
09:01
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
09:03
All of the known particles also live
in three dimensions of space.
in three dimensions of space.
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所有已知的粒子也存在三度空間裡。
09:07
In fact, a particle is just another name
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事實上，粒子只是別名，
09:09
for an excitation
in a three-dimensional field;
in a three-dimensional field;
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是三度空間裡的波動；
09:12
a localized wobbling in space.
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空間中的局部晃動。
09:15
More importantly, all the math
that we use to describe all this stuff
that we use to describe all this stuff
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更重要的是，我們用來描述
所有這些玩意的數學
所有這些玩意的數學
全都假設只有三度空間。
09:18
assumes that there are only
three dimensions of space.
three dimensions of space.
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09:21
But math is math, and we can play
around with our math however we want.
around with our math however we want.
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但數學就是數學，
我們可以隨意擺弄數學。
我們可以隨意擺弄數學。
09:25
And people have been playing around
with extra dimensions of space
with extra dimensions of space
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長久以來，人們一直悠遊於
更多維度的數學中，
更多維度的數學中，
09:28
for a very long time,
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但僅僅是個抽象的數學概念而已。
09:29
but it's always been an abstract
mathematical concept.
mathematical concept.
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09:32
I mean, just look around you --
you at the back, look around --
you at the back, look around --
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我的意思是，看看你們的周圍 --
坐在後面的諸位，請環顧四周 --
坐在後面的諸位，請環顧四周 --
09:35
there's clearly only
three dimensions of space.
three dimensions of space.
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顯然只有三度空間。
09:38
But what if that's not true?
193
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但，倘若事實並非如此呢？
09:42
What if the missing gravity is leaking
into an extra-spatial dimension
into an extra-spatial dimension
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6255
如果消失的重力
流入了我們看不見的第四度空間呢？
09:48
that's invisible to you and I?
195
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09:51
What if gravity is just as strong
as the other forces
as the other forces
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3094
如果重力和其他的力量同樣有力，
09:54
if you were to view it in this
extra-spatial dimension,
extra-spatial dimension,
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前提是增加維度來看待它;
09:57
and what you and I experience
is a tiny slice of gravity
is a tiny slice of gravity
198
585638
2900
如果你我目前體驗到的重力
只是一小部分，
只是一小部分，
10:00
make it seem very weak?
199
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1897
所以才會看起來這麼弱呢？
10:04
If this were true,
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假如這是真的，
10:05
we would have to expand
our Standard Model of particles
our Standard Model of particles
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我們就必須擴大粒子的標準模型，
包括其他的粒子，
包括其他的粒子，
10:08
to include an extra particle,
a hyperdimensional particle of gravity,
a hyperdimensional particle of gravity,
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「超維度的重力粒子」，
10:12
a special graviton that lives
in extra-spatial dimensions.
in extra-spatial dimensions.
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存在另一度空間的重力粒子。
10:15
I see the looks on your faces.
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603258
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我注意到你們的臉上的表情。
10:16
You should be asking me the question,
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1819
你們該問我：
10:18
"How in the world are we going to test
this crazy, science fiction idea,
this crazy, science fiction idea,
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3644
「要怎樣去測試
這瘋狂而科幻的想法呢？
這瘋狂而科幻的想法呢？
10:22
stuck as we are in three dimensions?"
207
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我們到底身處在三度空間裡啊！」
10:24
The way we always do,
208
612773
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老法子，
10:26
by slamming together two protons --
209
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2139
使兩個光子互撞 --
10:28
(Laughter)
210
616242
1152
（笑聲）
10:29
Hard enough that
the collision reverberates
the collision reverberates
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碰撞繞樑到或許存在的
多度空間已經夠難了，
多度空間已經夠難了，
10:32
into any extra-spatial dimensions
that might be there,
that might be there,
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10:34
momentarily creating
this hyperdimensional graviton
this hyperdimensional graviton
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遑論頃刻間造出超維度的重力粒子，
10:37
that then snaps back
into the three dimensions of the LHC
into the three dimensions of the LHC
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4380
並且撞擊到三度空間的 LHC，
10:41
and spits off two photons,
215
629748
1822
又再分裂為兩個光子，
10:44
two particles of light.
216
632278
1338
兩個光粒子。
10:47
And this hypothetical,
extra-dimensional graviton
extra-dimensional graviton
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這假設的超維度重力粒子，
10:50
is one of the only possible,
hypothetical new particles
hypothetical new particles
218
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3707
唯一可能假設的新粒子，
10:54
that has the special quantum properties
219
642082
2135
具有特別的量子空間特性，
10:56
that could give birth to our little,
two-photon bump.
two-photon bump.
220
644241
4236
能產生我們這個小小的二光子凸起。
11:02
So, the possibility of explaining
the mysteries of gravity
the mysteries of gravity
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因此，解釋重力的奧秘，
和發現另一度空間的可能性 --
11:07
and of discovering extra
dimensions of space --
dimensions of space --
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655844
3498
11:11
perhaps now you get a sense
223
659366
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現在或許你們稍稍明白了
11:12
as to why thousands of physics geeks
collectively lost their cool
collectively lost their cool
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660982
4124
為何成千上萬的怪胎物理學家
會因小小的兩光子凸起而集體激動。
11:17
over our little, two-photon bump.
225
665130
1882
11:19
A discovery of this type
would rewrite the textbooks.
would rewrite the textbooks.
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這樣的發現將會改寫教科書。
11:22
But remember,
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但請記住
11:23
the message from us experimentalists
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671915
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我們這些當時真正做實驗的人
的訊息非常的清楚：
的訊息非常的清楚：
11:25
that actually were doing
this work at the time,
this work at the time,
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2239
11:27
was very clear:
230
675926
1154
11:29
we need more data.
231
677104
1174
我們需要更多的數據。
11:30
With more data,
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1519
有了更多的數據，
11:31
the little bump will either turn into
a nice, crisp Nobel Prize --
a nice, crisp Nobel Prize --
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4024
這小小的凸起可能會成為
漂亮、清新的諾貝爾獎 --
漂亮、清新的諾貝爾獎 --
11:35
(Laughter)
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1760
（笑聲）
11:37
Or the extra data will fill in
the space around the bump
the space around the bump
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685677
2964
或者增加的數據
會填滿凸起周邊的空間，
會填滿凸起周邊的空間，
11:40
and turn it into a nice, smooth line.
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1866
使它成為平滑、順暢的線條。
11:43
So we took more data,
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因此我們收取更多的數據，
11:44
and with five times the data,
several months later,
several months later,
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又經過幾個月，增加了五倍的數據，
11:47
our little bump
239
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我們的小凸起
11:49
turned into a smooth line.
240
697072
2348
成為平滑的線條。
11:55
The news reported on a "huge
disappointment," on "faded hopes,"
disappointment," on "faded hopes,"
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新聞報導了「大失望」、
「消逝的希望」，
「消逝的希望」，
11:58
and on particle physicists "being sad."
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2510
以及粒子物理學家們很「悲傷」。
12:01
Given the tone of the coverage,
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709259
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根據報導的語氣，
12:03
you'd think that we had decided
to shut down the LHC and go home.
to shut down the LHC and go home.
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你們會認為我們已經決定
關掉 LHC，打道回府了。
關掉 LHC，打道回府了。
12:06
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
12:08
But that's not what we did.
246
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1603
但我們沒那樣做。
12:13
But why not?
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2014
為什麼不呢？
12:16
I mean, if I didn't discover
a particle -- and I didn't --
a particle -- and I didn't --
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2845
如果我沒發現新粒子 --
而我的確沒發現 --
而我的確沒發現 --
12:20
if I didn't discover a particle,
why am I here talking to you?
why am I here talking to you?
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728209
3029
如果我沒發現新粒子，
怎麼還在這裡對你們演講？
怎麼還在這裡對你們演講？
12:23
Why didn't I just hang my head in shame
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2437
我怎麼沒羞恥地低著頭，
12:25
and go home?
251
733723
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躲回家裡去呢？
12:31
Particle physicists are explorers.
252
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3351
粒子物理學家是探索者。
12:35
And very much of what we do
is cartography.
is cartography.
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2952
我們繪製很多的圖。
12:39
Let me put it this way: forget
about the LHC for a second.
about the LHC for a second.
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2852
暫時先不管 LHC，
讓我這樣來描述：
讓我這樣來描述：
想像你是個太空探險家，
12:42
Imagine you are a space explorer
arriving at a distant planet,
arriving at a distant planet,
255
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3382
飛到一個遙遠的行星去搜索外星人。
12:45
searching for aliens.
256
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1325
12:47
What is your first task?
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1522
你的第一個任務是什麼？
12:49
To immediately orbit the planet,
land, take a quick look around
land, take a quick look around
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3076
是立刻環繞行星、掃視地面，
快速地巡視四周，
看有沒有大的、顯著的生命跡象，
12:53
for any big, obvious signs of life,
259
761031
1886
12:54
and report back to home base.
260
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1819
並回報基地。
12:56
That's the stage we're at now.
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1624
這正是我們眼前的階段。
12:59
We took a first look at the LHC
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1487
我們先快巡 LHC，
13:00
for any new, big,
obvious-to-spot particles,
obvious-to-spot particles,
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2284
看有沒有大的、顯著的粒子，
13:03
and we can report that there are none.
264
771088
1950
我們回報沒有。
13:05
We saw a weird-looking alien bump
on a distant mountain,
on a distant mountain,
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2673
如同我們看到遠處
有個像是外星人的怪異凸起，
有個像是外星人的怪異凸起，
13:08
but once we got closer,
we saw it was a rock.
we saw it was a rock.
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2170
一旦近看，發現只是個石頭。
13:10
But then what do we do?
Do we just give up and fly away?
Do we just give up and fly away?
267
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2640
接下來呢？我們放棄、飛離嗎？
13:13
Absolutely not;
268
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1287
絕不；
13:14
we would be terrible scientists if we did.
269
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2305
若那樣做，我們就是差勁的科學家。
13:17
No, we spend the next couple
of decades exploring,
of decades exploring,
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3613
不，我們用接下來的幾十年去探索，
13:20
mapping out the territory,
271
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1480
繪製地圖，
13:22
sifting through the sand
with a fine instrument,
with a fine instrument,
272
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2365
用精密儀器仔細地篩過沙土，
13:24
peeking under every stone,
273
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1458
翻遍每塊石頭，
13:26
drilling under the surface.
274
794132
1554
往地表下鑽。
13:28
New particles can either
show up immediately
show up immediately
275
796106
2593
新粒子可能以
大而顯著的型態立即顯現，
大而顯著的型態立即顯現，
13:30
as big, obvious-to-spot bumps,
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798723
2133
13:32
or they can only reveal themselves
after years of data taking.
after years of data taking.
277
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3941
或在收集許多數據後才會顯露出來。
13:38
Humanity has just begun its exploration
at the LHC at this big high energy,
at the LHC at this big high energy,
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4410
人類才剛開始以如此高的能量
在 LHC 上探索，
在 LHC 上探索，
13:42
and we have much searching to do.
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810537
1791
我們要找的可多著呢。
13:44
But what if, even after 10 or 20 years,
we still find no new particles?
we still find no new particles?
280
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5825
如果十或二十年後，
我們仍然沒發現新的粒子呢？
我們仍然沒發現新的粒子呢？
13:51
We build a bigger machine.
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1695
我們就建造更大的機器。
13:52
(Laughter)
282
820772
1574
（笑聲）
13:54
We search at higher energies.
283
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1690
我們用更高的能量去尋找。
13:56
We search at higher energies.
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1570
我們用更高的能量尋找。
13:58
Planning is already underway
for a 100-kilometer tunnel
for a 100-kilometer tunnel
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3053
我們已在規畫一百公里長的隧道，
14:02
that will collide particles
at 10 times the energy of the LHC.
at 10 times the energy of the LHC.
286
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2976
它的撞擊力道是 LHC 的十倍。
14:05
We don't decide where
nature places new particles.
nature places new particles.
287
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2337
大自然在何處擺放新粒子
不歸我們作主。
不歸我們作主。
14:08
We only decide to keep exploring.
288
836366
1646
我們只能決定繼續探索。
14:10
But what if, even after
a 100-kilometer tunnel
a 100-kilometer tunnel
289
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2558
倘若用了一百公里的加速隧道，
14:12
or a 500-kilometer tunnel
290
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1860
五百公里的隧道，
14:14
or a 10,000-kilometer
collider floating in space
collider floating in space
291
842502
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或是一萬公里長，
漂浮在地球和月亮間
太空中的隧道，
太空中的隧道，
14:17
between the Earth and the Moon,
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14:18
we still find no new particles?
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仍然找不到新粒子呢？
14:23
Then perhaps we're doing
particle physics wrong.
particle physics wrong.
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也許我們粒子物理的理論是錯的。
14:26
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
14:28
Perhaps we need to rethink things.
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也許我們需要重新思考。
14:31
Maybe we need more resources,
technology, expertise
technology, expertise
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也許我們需要比現有
更多的資源、技術和專業知識。
更多的資源、技術和專業知識。
14:34
than what we currently have.
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14:36
We already use artificial intelligence
and machine learning techniques
and machine learning techniques
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我們已經將人工智能和機器學習技術
用在部分的 LHC 中，
14:39
in parts of the LHC,
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14:41
but imagine designing
a particle physics experiment
a particle physics experiment
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想像把這種複雜的演算法
設計在粒子物理實驗裡，
設計在粒子物理實驗裡，
14:43
using such sophisticated algorithms
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14:45
that it could teach itself to discover
a hyperdimensional graviton.
a hyperdimensional graviton.
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教會它自己去發現超維引力。
14:48
But what if?
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如果，
14:49
What if the ultimate question:
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如果最終的問題：
14:51
What if even artificial intelligence
can't help us answer our questions?
can't help us answer our questions?
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如果連人工智慧也不能
幫助我們回答問題呢？
幫助我們回答問題呢？
14:54
What if these open questions,
for centuries,
for centuries,
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如果這些數百年無解的問題，
14:56
are destined to be unanswered
for the foreseeable future?
for the foreseeable future?
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注定在可預見的未來仍然無解呢？
14:59
What if the stuff that's bothered me
since I was a little kid
since I was a little kid
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如果那自幼就困擾我的問題
15:02
is destined to be unanswered
in my lifetime?
in my lifetime?
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注定在我的有生之年無解呢？
15:06
Then that ...
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那 ......
15:08
will be even more fascinating.
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就會更加地迷人了。
15:12
We will be forced to think
in completely new ways.
in completely new ways.
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我們將被迫以全新的方式思考。
15:16
We'll have to go back to our assumptions,
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我們必須回到原先的假設，
15:18
and determine if there was
a flaw somewhere.
a flaw somewhere.
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確定是否某個環節有著缺陷。
15:21
And we'll need to encourage more people
to join us in studying science
to join us in studying science
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我們需要鼓勵更多人
加入我們學習科學，
加入我們學習科學，
15:24
since we need fresh eyes
on these century-old problems.
on these century-old problems.
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912820
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因為我們需要清新的眼睛
研究這些百年的老問題。
研究這些百年的老問題。
15:27
I don't have the answers,
and I'm still searching for them.
and I'm still searching for them.
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我仍在尋找，沒有答案。
15:31
But someone -- maybe
she's in school right now,
she's in school right now,
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但某人 -- 也許正在就學，
15:33
maybe she's not even born yet --
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也許尚未出生 --
15:35
could eventually guide us to see physics
in a completely new way,
in a completely new way,
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923783
3133
最終能引導我們
以全新的方式去看待物理學，
以全新的方式去看待物理學，
15:38
and to point out that perhaps
we're just asking the wrong questions.
we're just asking the wrong questions.
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指出來，我們可能只是問錯了問題。
15:44
Which would not be the end of physics,
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這不會終結物理學，
15:46
but a novel beginning.
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而會是個嶄新的開始。
15:49
Thank you.
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謝謝。
15:50
(Applause)
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（鼓掌）
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
James Beacham - Experimental particle physicistJames Beacham is an experimental high-energy particle physicist working with the ATLAS collaboration at CERN's Large Hadron Collider.
Why you should listen
As part of the ATLAS collaboration at CERN's Large Hadron Collider, one of the teams that discovered the Higgs boson in 2012, James Beacham is on the hunt for evidence of new particles -- dark photons, gravitons, dark matter and exotic Higgs bosons among them.
Previously, Beacham was part of a small team of researchers who, in 2009, searched for the Higgs boson in an unlikely place: data taken by the ALEPH experiment at CERN's Large Electron-Positron collider, nine years after it had stopped running. He has also worked with the APEX collaboration, a groundbreaking search for dark photons using existing particle physics facilities designed for very different purposes.
Beacham completed his PhD at New York University in 2014 and is currently a post-doctoral researcher with the ATLAS experiment group of the Ohio State University. He has been a guest on NPR's "Science Friday," participated in documentaries on the BBC and the Discovery Channel and talked particle physics with the New York Times and WIRED.
In addition to his ongoing research, Beacham is dedicated to making particle physics accessible to all. He has communicated science to the public with Symmetry Magazine, US/LHC, the Science Museum in London, the Institute of Physics, the World Science Fair and on the Web.
In 2015, Beacham organized Ex/Noise/CERN, a project colliding particle physics with experimental music to celebrate the LHC’s switch on to 13 trillion electron volts.
James Beacham | Speaker | TED.com