TEDxBerlin
James Beacham: How we explore unanswered questions in physics
詹姆斯·比彻姆: 我们如何探索物理学中没有被解答的问题
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利用史上最大的科学仪器，CERN的大型强子对撞机，詹姆斯·比彻姆（James Beacham）试图回答物理学中最重要的开放性问题。在这场有趣的、通俗易懂的演讲中，Beacham阐述了科学如何诞生，并带领我们踏上了在高维空间中寻找未被发现的基本粒子的旅程（并解释了重力之谜），还详细说明了坚持探索的动力所在。
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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有一些关于物理方面的事情，
从我还是个小孩的时候
就开始并一直困扰着我。
就开始并一直困扰着我。
00:17
that has been really bothering me
since I was a little kid.
since I was a little kid.
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00:23
And it's related to a question
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它和一个问题有关，
科学家们已经在这个问题上
探索了将近100年，
探索了将近100年，
00:24
that scientists have been asking
for almost 100 years,
for almost 100 years,
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却毫无结果。
00:28
with no answer.
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00:31
How do the smallest things in nature,
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自然界中最小的事物，
量子世界中的那些粒子，
00:34
the particles of the quantum world,
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是如何与自然中最大的事物，
00:36
match up with the largest
things in nature --
things in nature --
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即在万有引力作用维系下的
行星、恒星以及星系相匹配的？
行星、恒星以及星系相匹配的？
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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小的时候，我时常会为
这样的问题感到疑惑。
这样的问题感到疑惑。
我会不停地摆弄显微镜和电磁铁，
00:46
I would fiddle around
with microscopes and electromagnets,
with microscopes and electromagnets,
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我还会去阅读了解粒子间作用力和
00:48
and I would read
about the forces of the small
about the forces of the small
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量子力学，
00:51
and about quantum mechanics
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然后惊叹于那描述
00:52
and I would marvel at how well
that description matched up
that description matched up
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与我们的观察竟如此契合。
00:56
to our observation.
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00:58
Then I would look at the stars,
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那时我仰望星空，
读到我们有多了解重力，
00:59
and I would read about how well
we understand gravity,
we understand gravity,
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然后我会严肃思考
这一定有一些精巧的地方
这一定有一些精巧的地方
01:02
and I would think surely,
there must be some elegant way
there must be some elegant way
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使得这两个系统匹配。
01:05
that these two systems match up.
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01:09
But there's not.
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但事实上并没有。
01:11
And the books would say,
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书上会说，
是的，我们分别在这
两个领域上了解了很多，
两个领域上了解了很多，
01:12
yeah, we understand a lot
about these two realms separately,
about these two realms separately,
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但是当我们尝试着将它们
以数学的方式联系在一起的时候，
以数学的方式联系在一起的时候，
01:16
but when we try to link
them mathematically,
them mathematically,
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01:18
everything breaks.
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每件事都变得不合逻辑了。
01:20
And for 100 years,
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而且100年来，
我们关于如何解决这个
几乎是物理灾难的想法
几乎是物理灾难的想法
01:22
none of our ideas as to how to solve
this basically physics disaster,
this basically physics disaster,
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从没有被证据支持过。
01:27
has ever been supported by evidence.
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01:30
And to little old me --
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对于小小的我，
幼小的，好奇的，多疑的詹姆士，
01:31
little, curious, skeptical James --
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这个答案绝对满足不了我。
01:33
this was a supremely unsatisfying answer.
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01:38
So, I'm still a skeptical little kid.
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我仍然是一个充满怀疑的小孩。
快进到现在，2015年12月，
01:40
Flash-forward now
to December of 2015,
to December of 2015,
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01:45
when I found myself smack in the middle
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我发现自己突然出现
在物理世界的正中央，
在物理世界的正中央，
并完全沉迷于此。
01:47
of the physics world
being flipped on its head.
being flipped on its head.
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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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一切开始于我们在欧洲粒子物理研究所
（CERN）的数据中看到一些有趣的东西，
（CERN）的数据中看到一些有趣的东西，
01:55
a hint of a new particle,
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某种新的粒子的线索，
也说明这个问题的答案
极有可能是非同寻常的。
极有可能是非同寻常的。
01:57
an inkling of a possibly extraordinary
answer to this question.
answer to this question.
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02:03
So I'm still a skeptical
little kid, I think,
little kid, I think,
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所以，我觉得我仍然是
一个小小的怀疑论者，
一个小小的怀疑论者，
而我现在成为了一个粒子猎人。
02:05
but I'm also now a particle hunter.
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我是CERN大型强子对撞机
（LHC）实验的物理学家，
（LHC）实验的物理学家，
02:08
I am a physicist at CERN's
Large Hadron Collider,
Large Hadron Collider,
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这是有史以来规模最大的科学实验。
02:11
the largest science
experiment ever mounted.
experiment ever mounted.
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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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这个机器是法国和瑞典
交界地区的一个27公里的隧道，
交界地区的一个27公里的隧道，
深埋于地下100米处。
02:19
buried 100 meters underground.
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在这个隧道里，
02:21
And in this tunnel,
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我们使用低于外部空间
温度的超导磁体
温度的超导磁体
02:22
we use superconducting magnets
colder than outer space
colder than outer space
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来加速质子运动，
使其速度接近光速，
使其速度接近光速，
02:26
to accelerate protons
to almost the speed of light
to almost the speed of light
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并使得质子以每秒
上百万次的速度互相撞击，
上百万次的速度互相撞击，
02:29
and slam them into each other
millions of times per second,
millions of times per second,
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02:33
collecting the debris of these collisions
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收集撞击后产生的碎片，
02:36
to search for new, undiscovered
fundamental particles.
fundamental particles.
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来进行新的、未发现的
基本粒子的研究。
基本粒子的研究。
02:40
Its design and construction
took decades of work
took decades of work
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它的设计和构造花费了
全世界上千名物理学家
全世界上千名物理学家
数十年的时间，
02:43
by thousands of physicists
from around the globe,
from around the globe,
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2015年的夏天，
02:46
and in the summer of 2015,
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02:48
we had been working tirelessly
to switch on the LHC
to switch on the LHC
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我们不知疲倦地
以人类曾经在对撞机试验中
以人类曾经在对撞机试验中
使用过的最高能量
一次次打开LHC的开关。
一次次打开LHC的开关。
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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更高的能量是必要的，
02:57
Now, higher energy is important
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因为粒子能量和粒子的质量
03:00
because for particles,
there is an equivalence
there is an equivalence
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03:02
between energy and particle mass,
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是守恒的，
质量只是自然给出的一个数值。
03:04
and mass is just a number
put there by nature.
put there by nature.
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03:08
To discover new particles,
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为了发现新的粒子，
我们要找到更大的数值，
03:09
we need to reach these bigger numbers.
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为了做到这一点，我们要
制造更大更高能量的对撞机，
制造更大更高能量的对撞机，
03:11
And to do that, we have to build
a bigger, higher energy collider,
a bigger, higher energy collider,
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而这个世界上最大，能量最高的对撞机
03:14
and the biggest, highest
energy collider in the world
energy collider in the world
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也就是大型强子对撞机LHC。
03:17
is the Large Hadron Collider.
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03:20
And then, we collide protons
quadrillions of times,
quadrillions of times,
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然后，我们让质子对撞一千万亿次，
并在数个月内
慢慢地收集这些数据，
慢慢地收集这些数据，
03:25
and we collect this data very slowly,
over months and months.
over months and months.
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03:30
And then new particles might show up
in our data as bumps --
in our data as bumps --
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然后新粒子猛然出现在我们的数据里，
和你们所期望的有点偏差，
03:35
slight deviations from what you expect,
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很小的一簇数据表使得
一条平滑的线变得有些粗糙。
一条平滑的线变得有些粗糙。
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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03:42
For example, this bump,
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比如，距离2012年的数据记录
03:45
after months of data-taking in 2012,
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几个月之后发现的这个碰撞，
引领我们发现了希格斯粒子
03:47
led to the discovery
of the Higgs particle --
of the Higgs particle --
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——应该叫希格斯玻色子——
03:49
the Higgs boson --
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03:50
and to a Nobel Prize
for the confirmation of its existence.
for the confirmation of its existence.
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并因为证明其存在而
获得了诺贝尔奖。
获得了诺贝尔奖。
03:55
This jump up in energy in 2015
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2015年，能量出现了大幅波动，
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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这表示我们人类作为一个物种
遇见了有史以来的最佳机会
遇见了有史以来的最佳机会
来探寻新粒子的存在，
04:03
of discovering new particles --
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探寻那些存在已久的问题的答案。
04:05
new answers to these
long-standing questions,
long-standing questions,
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因为这次的能量接近两倍于
04:07
because it was almost
twice as much energy as we used
twice as much energy as we used
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我们曾发现的希格斯玻色子。
04:10
when we discovered the Higgs boson.
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我的许多同僚终身奉献于事业
为的就是这一刻，
为的就是这一刻，
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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坦白讲，对于小小的，
充满好奇心的我来说，
充满好奇心的我来说，
04:16
and frankly, to little curious me,
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这就是我一生都在等待的时刻。
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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这个时刻就是2015年。
04:21
So 2015 was go time.
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2015年6月，
04:24
So June 2015,
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04:27
the LHC is switched back on.
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LHC再一次启动了。
04:31
My colleagues and I held our breath
and bit our fingernails,
and bit our fingernails,
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我和我的同僚们一起
屏住呼吸，紧张到咬指甲，
屏住呼吸，紧张到咬指甲，
最终我们看到了
第一次质子对撞，
第一次质子对撞，
04:33
and then finally we saw
the first proton collisions
the first proton collisions
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伴随着有史以来最大能量。
04:36
at this highest energy ever.
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于是立刻爆发了掌声，欢呼，庆贺。
04:38
Applause, champagne, celebration.
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这是科学史上的里程碑，
04:40
This was a milestone for science,
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我们完全不知道我们会从
全新的数据当中得出什么。
全新的数据当中得出什么。
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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04:51
And then a few weeks later,
we found a bump.
we found a bump.
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几周过去了，
我们发现了一个碰撞。
我们发现了一个碰撞。
04:56
It wasn't a very big bump,
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这不是一次很大的碰撞，
04:58
but it was big enough to make
you raise your eyebrow.
you raise your eyebrow.
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但是也足够让你惊讶到挑眉。
但是要给挑眉的幅度
从一到十划分等级的话，
从一到十划分等级的话，
05:01
But on a scale of one to 10
for eyebrow raises,
for eyebrow raises,
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如果“十”表示你发现了一种新粒子，
05:03
if 10 indicates that you've
discovered a new particle,
discovered a new particle,
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那么这次大概只能有“四”。
05:06
this eyebrow raise is about a four.
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（观众笑声）
05:08
(Laughter)
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05:10
I spent hours, days, weeks
in secret meetings,
in secret meetings,
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我花了数小时，数天，
数周时间参加秘密会议，
数周时间参加秘密会议，
和我的同事们讨论这次小碰撞，
05:15
arguing with my colleagues
over this little bump,
over this little bump,
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用我们最无礼的方式对着它指指点点，
05:18
poking and prodding it with our most
ruthless experimental sticks
ruthless experimental sticks
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看它能不能经受得住详细的检查。
05:21
to see if it would withstand scrutiny.
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05:23
But even after months
of working feverishly --
of working feverishly --
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但是经过了几个月的狂热实验
——睡在实验室连家都不回，
05:27
sleeping in our offices
and not going home,
and not going home,
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用糖果棒代替晚餐，
05:29
candy bars for dinner,
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喝了一桶又一桶的咖啡——
05:32
coffee by the bucketful --
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物理学家变成了把咖啡
转化成了图表的机器。
转化成了图表的机器。
05:33
physicists are machines
for turning coffee into diagrams --
for turning coffee into diagrams --
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（观众笑声）
05:37
(Laughter)
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这个小碰撞并没有消失。
05:39
This little bump would not go away.
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05:42
So after a few months,
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所以几个月后，
我们把这个小碰撞非常清楚的
介绍给了全世界。
介绍给了全世界。
05:44
we presented our little bump to the world
with a very clear message:
with a very clear message:
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05:49
this little bump is interesting
but it's not definitive,
but it's not definitive,
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这个小碰撞虽然令人关注，
但它并不是最终结果。
但它并不是最终结果。
所以我们会继续关注它，
记录下更多数据。
记录下更多数据。
05:52
so let's keep an eye on it
as we take more data.
as we take more data.
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05:55
So we were trying to be
extremely cool about it.
extremely cool about it.
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也因冷静我们想以
极度清醒的态度来观察它。
极度清醒的态度来观察它。
05:59
And the world ran with it anyway.
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全世界也一直在关注着它。
06:02
The news loved it.
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新闻界喜爱它。
06:04
People said it reminded
them of the little bump
them of the little bump
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人们说这让他们想起了
发现希格斯玻色子的那次碰撞。
06:07
that was shown on the way
toward the Higgs boson discovery.
toward the Higgs boson discovery.
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比这更令人振奋的是，
我的理论家同事们
我的理论家同事们
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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——我爱他们——
我的理论家同事们写了500篇
关于这个小碰撞的论文。
关于这个小碰撞的论文。
06:16
my theorist colleagues wrote
500 papers about this little bump.
500 papers about this little bump.
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（观众笑声）
06:20
(Laughter)
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06:22
The world of particle physics
had been flipped on its head.
had been flipped on its head.
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整个粒子物理世界都痴迷于此。
06:27
But what was it about this particular bump
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但是这次粒子对撞到底为什么
导致了上千名物理学家
都兴奋地难以自抑？
都兴奋地难以自抑？
06:32
that caused thousands of physicists
to collectively lose their cool?
to collectively lose their cool?
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06:37
This little bump was unique.
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这次小碰撞是独特的。
06:40
This little bump indicated
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这次小碰撞意味着
我们眼见着未曾预期过的
大量粒子对撞，
大量粒子对撞，
06:41
that we were seeing an unexpectedly
large number of collisions
large number of collisions
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它们的残骸只形成两种光子，
06:44
whose debris consisted
of only two photons,
of only two photons,
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就是两种光粒子。
06:47
two particles of light.
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这是很少见的。
06:49
And that's rare.
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06:51
Particle collisions are not
like automobile collisions.
like automobile collisions.
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粒子对撞不像汽车碰撞。
它们的规则是不一样的。
06:53
They have different rules.
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06:55
When two particles collide
at almost the speed of light,
at almost the speed of light,
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当两个粒子以接近光速的速度发生碰撞，
量子世界就出现了。
06:57
the quantum world takes over.
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在量子世界中，
06:59
And in the quantum world,
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这两个粒子可以简单地
创造出一种新的粒子。
创造出一种新的粒子。
07:00
these two particles
can briefly create a new particle
can briefly create a new particle
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这种新粒子只会有一瞬间存在，
07:03
that lives for a tiny fraction of a second
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在它分解成其他的粒子之后
恰好被我们的检测器检测到了。
恰好被我们的检测器检测到了。
07:06
before splitting into other particles
that hit our detector.
that hit our detector.
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想象一下汽车的碰撞，
两辆车因受撞击而消失，
两辆车因受撞击而消失，
07:09
Imagine a car collision
where the two cars vanish upon impact,
where the two cars vanish upon impact,
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一辆自行车凭空出现——
07:13
a bicycle appears in their place --
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（观众笑声）
07:15
(Laughter)
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然后这辆自行车又发生了
爆炸，变成两块滑板
爆炸，变成两块滑板
07:16
And then that bicycle explodes
into two skateboards,
into two skateboards,
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撞向我们的检测器。
07:18
which hit our detector.
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（观众笑声）
07:20
(Laughter)
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我希望这不是真的。
07:21
Hopefully, not literally.
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因为它们太贵重了。
07:23
They're very expensive.
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07:26
Events where only two photons
hit out detector are very rare.
hit out detector are very rare.
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两个光子撞击被探测器捕捉到
这种事情太少见了。
这种事情太少见了。
07:29
And because of the special
quantum properties of photons,
quantum properties of photons,
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并且由于光子的特殊量子特性，
极少有可能产生新的粒子——
07:33
there's a very small number
of possible new particles --
of possible new particles --
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也就是那些所谓的“自行车”——
07:37
these mythical bicycles --
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会产生两个光子。
07:39
that can give birth to only two photons.
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07:41
But one of these options is huge,
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但是其中一个可能性是很大的。
它和一个长期存在的问题有关，
07:44
and it has to do with
that long-standing question
that long-standing question
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从我还是个小孩的时候
就一直困扰着我，
就一直困扰着我，
07:47
that bothered me as a tiny little kid,
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也就是重力。
07:50
about gravity.
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07:53
Gravity may seem super strong to you,
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重力对大家的影响太大了。
但是它同大自然其它的力量
相比又实在太微弱了。
相比又实在太微弱了。
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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当我跳起来的时候，
我可以短暂性地克服重力，
我可以短暂性地克服重力，
08:00
I can briefly beat gravity when I jump,
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08:04
but I can't pick a proton out of my hand.
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可我却不能从我手里拿起一个质子。
08:08
The strength of gravity compared
to the other forces of nature?
to the other forces of nature?
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把引力的强度和其它的
自然力量相比会如何？
自然力量相比会如何？
08:12
It's 10 to the minus 39.
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它等于10的负39次方。
也就是小数点后39个零。
08:14
That's a decimal with 39 zeros after it.
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更可怕的是，
08:17
Worse than that,
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所有我们现在已知的其它自然力量
都能够被一种名叫“标准模型”的东西
都能够被一种名叫“标准模型”的东西
08:18
all of the other known forces of nature
are perfectly described
are perfectly described
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精确地描述，
08:21
by this thing we call the Standard Model,
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这是目前我们所使用的最好的
描述自然的最小模型。
描述自然的最小模型。
08:23
which is our current best description
of nature at its smallest scales,
of nature at its smallest scales,
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坦白地说，
08:27
and quite frankly,
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也是人类最成功的成就之一
08:28
one of the most successful
achievements of humankind --
achievements of humankind --
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——除了重力，
这是被排除在标准模型之外的，
这是被排除在标准模型之外的，
08:32
except for gravity, which is absent
from the Standard Model.
from the Standard Model.
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这太疯狂了。
08:36
It's crazy.
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08:38
It's almost as though most
of gravity has gone missing.
of gravity has gone missing.
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好像大部分的重力都不知所踪。
08:42
We feel a little bit of it,
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我们只能感受到一点点，
但是剩下的部分在哪儿？
08:44
but where's the rest of it?
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没有人知道。
08:45
No one knows.
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1282
08:48
But one theoretical explanation
proposes a wild solution.
proposes a wild solution.
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但是有种理论
提出了一个疯狂的设想。
提出了一个疯狂的设想。
08:54
You and I --
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你和我——
即使你在后面——
08:55
even you in the back --
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我们生活在三维空间里。
08:57
we live in three dimensions of space.
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我希望这个陈述没有争议。
08:59
I hope that's a
non-controversial statement.
non-controversial statement.
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（观众笑声）
09:01
(Laughter)
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所有我们现在已知的粒子
都存在于三维空间，
都存在于三维空间，
09:03
All of the known particles also live
in three dimensions of space.
in three dimensions of space.
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实际上，粒子只是给
09:07
In fact, a particle is just another name
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在三维空间产生的碰撞
起的另一个名字，
起的另一个名字，
09:09
for an excitation
in a three-dimensional field;
in a three-dimensional field;
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空间中的局部震动。
09:12
a localized wobbling in space.
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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，我们学过的
所有用来描述这些东西的数学知识
所有用来描述这些东西的数学知识
都建立在只存在三维空间的假设之上。
09:18
assumes that there are only
three dimensions of space.
three dimensions of space.
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但是数学仅仅是数学，
我们可以用任何方式摆弄它。
我们可以用任何方式摆弄它。
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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人类幻想着存在额外维度空间
09:25
And people have been playing around
with extra dimensions of space
with extra dimensions of space
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3166
已经有很长时间了，
09:28
for a very long time,
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1155
但是这始终是一个抽象的数学概念。
09:29
but it's always been an abstract
mathematical concept.
mathematical concept.
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我是说，看看你们周围——
09:32
I mean, just look around you --
you at the back, look around --
you at the back, look around --
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3172
你非常清楚这是三维空间。
09:35
there's clearly only
three dimensions of space.
three dimensions of space.
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2281
09:38
But what if that's not true?
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1559
但是假如这不是真的呢？
09:42
What if the missing gravity is leaking
into an extra-spatial dimension
into an extra-spatial dimension
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6255
假如那些消失的重力
其实都流失到了超三维空间，
其实都流失到了超三维空间，
而你和我都看不到呢？
09:48
that's invisible to you and I?
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576388
1956
09:51
What if gravity is just as strong
as the other forces
as the other forces
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3094
假如重力其实和其它的力一样强呢？
09:54
if you were to view it in this
extra-spatial dimension,
extra-spatial dimension,
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3141
假如你能在超三维空间看到它呢？
09:57
and what you and I experience
is a tiny slice of gravity
is a tiny slice of gravity
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2900
还有，假如你和我经受的重力
其实仅仅是重力的一小部分，
其实仅仅是重力的一小部分，
10:00
make it seem very weak?
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所以看上去这股力才这么微弱呢？
10:04
If this were true,
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如果这些假设都是真的，
我们就要扩展我们的粒子标准模型。
10:05
we would have to expand
our Standard Model of particles
our Standard Model of particles
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让更多的粒子，比如多维重力粒子
10:08
to include an extra particle,
a hyperdimensional particle of gravity,
a hyperdimensional particle of gravity,
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4086
这种存在于超维空间的特殊的
引力子也能够被涵盖进来。
引力子也能够被涵盖进来。
10:12
a special graviton that lives
in extra-spatial dimensions.
in extra-spatial dimensions.
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我看到了你们脸上的表情。
10:15
I see the looks on your faces.
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1465
你们也许会问我这样的问题：
10:16
You should be asking me the question,
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604747
1819
“在我们被困于三维空间的情况下，
我们怎么能证实这种疯狂的
我们怎么能证实这种疯狂的
10:18
"How in the world are we going to test
this crazy, science fiction idea,
this crazy, science fiction idea,
206
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3644
科幻小说里的设想？”
10:22
stuck as we are in three dimensions?"
207
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2491
我们经常会用的方法是
10:24
The way we always do,
208
612773
1282
让两个质子互相撞击——
10:26
by slamming together two protons --
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614079
2139
（观众笑声）
10:28
(Laughter)
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1152
很难让碰撞反射到任何
10:29
Hard enough that
the collision reverberates
the collision reverberates
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2564
可能存在的超维空间里，
10:32
into any extra-spatial dimensions
that might be there,
that might be there,
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2691
很难随时制造出这种多维引力子，
10:34
momentarily creating
this hyperdimensional graviton
this hyperdimensional graviton
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2599
然后让其迅速返回到三维空间的LHC上
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
再分解成两个光子，
10:41
and spits off two photons,
215
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1822
10:44
two particles of light.
216
632278
1338
两个光粒子。
10:47
And this hypothetical,
extra-dimensional graviton
extra-dimensional graviton
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2910
这种假想出来的
超维引力子
超维引力子
是假想的可能存在的
所有新粒子中的一种，
所有新粒子中的一种，
10:50
is one of the only possible,
hypothetical new particles
hypothetical new particles
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3707
它拥有特殊的量子特性，
10:54
that has the special quantum properties
219
642082
2135
碰撞后能够分解出两个光子。
10:56
that could give birth to our little,
two-photon bump.
two-photon bump.
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4236
11:02
So, the possibility of explaining
the mysteries of gravity
the mysteries of gravity
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5820
因此，解释重力的奥秘
以及发现超维空间的可能性
11:07
and of discovering extra
dimensions of space --
dimensions of space --
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3498
——现在你应该有所察觉了，
11:11
perhaps now you get a sense
223
659366
1592
为什么上千个物理怪才
在小小的，两个光子的碰撞面前
在小小的，两个光子的碰撞面前
11:12
as to why thousands of physics geeks
collectively lost their cool
collectively lost their cool
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4124
同时失去了冷静。
11:17
over our little, two-photon bump.
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665130
1882
这种类型的探索将会改写课本。
11:19
A discovery of this type
would rewrite the textbooks.
would rewrite the textbooks.
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2900
11:22
But remember,
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1152
但是请记住，
我们这些正在践行的实验主义者
11:23
the message from us experimentalists
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1724
想要说的是
11:25
that actually were doing
this work at the time,
this work at the time,
229
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2239
非常清楚的：
我们需要更多的数据。
11:27
was very clear:
230
675926
1154
11:29
we need more data.
231
677104
1174
有了更多数据，
11:30
With more data,
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678302
1519
这个小碰撞就会变成新鲜出炉的
美好的诺贝尔奖了——
美好的诺贝尔奖了——
11:31
the little bump will either turn into
a nice, crisp Nobel Prize --
a nice, crisp Nobel Prize --
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4024
11:35
(Laughter)
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1760
（观众笑声）
或者更多的数据将会填满
碰撞数据边上的空白，
碰撞数据边上的空白，
11:37
Or the extra data will fill in
the space around the bump
the space around the bump
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然后变成又一条光滑的线条。
11:40
and turn it into a nice, smooth line.
236
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1866
11:43
So we took more data,
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1218
所以我们记录了更多的数据，
七个月后的数据量达到了以前的五倍，
11:44
and with five times the data,
several months later,
several months later,
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这次小小的碰撞
11:47
our little bump
239
695358
1690
变成了平稳的线条
11:49
turned into a smooth line.
240
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2348
11:55
The news reported on a "huge
disappointment," on "faded hopes,"
disappointment," on "faded hopes,"
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3484
新闻上报道着“大失所望”，“希望破灭”，
还有粒子物理学家们“十分难过”。
11:58
and on particle physicists "being sad."
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2510
在这样的基调下，
12:01
Given the tone of the coverage,
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709259
1811
你肯定会觉得我们已经决定
中断LHC试验，各回各家。
中断LHC试验，各回各家。
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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3488
（观众笑声）
12:06
(Laughter)
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12:08
But that's not what we did.
246
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1603
但我们不是这样做的。
12:13
But why not?
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721057
2014
可是为什么不呢？
我的意思是，如果我没有发现新的粒子
——我也确实没有发现——
——我也确实没有发现——
12:16
I mean, if I didn't discover
a particle -- and I didn't --
a particle -- and I didn't --
248
724475
2845
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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3029
如果我没有发现新的粒子，
那么我怎么会站在这里发表演讲？
那么我怎么会站在这里发表演讲？
为什么我不羞愧地低下头，
12:23
Why didn't I just hang my head in shame
250
731262
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12:25
and go home?
251
733723
1224
然后灰溜溜的离开呢？
12:31
Particle physicists are explorers.
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3351
粒子物理学家是一群探险者。
12:35
And very much of what we do
is cartography.
is cartography.
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2952
我们工作的大部分内容是绘制图表。
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
我这么解释吧：
暂时先忘掉LHC。
暂时先忘掉LHC。
想象你是一个太空探险家，
正踏上一个遥远的星球
正踏上一个遥远的星球
12:42
Imagine you are a space explorer
arriving at a distant planet,
arriving at a distant planet,
255
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3382
寻找外星人。
12:45
searching for aliens.
256
753750
1325
你的第一个任务是什么？
12:47
What is your first task?
257
755099
1522
12:49
To immediately orbit the planet,
land, take a quick look around
land, take a quick look around
258
757931
3076
立即围着整个星球飞一圈，
登陆，然后快速地看看周围环境，
登陆，然后快速地看看周围环境，
有没有明显的生命迹象，
12:53
for any big, obvious signs of life,
259
761031
1886
12:54
and report back to home base.
260
762941
1819
然后向总部报告。
这就是我们现在所处的阶段。
12:56
That's the stage we're at now.
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764784
1624
12:59
We took a first look at the LHC
262
767269
1487
我们第一次查看LHC，
看看有没有新的，
大到无法忽视的粒子，
大到无法忽视的粒子，
13:00
for any new, big,
obvious-to-spot particles,
obvious-to-spot particles,
263
768780
2284
然后我们可以报告什么也没有。
13:03
and we can report that there are none.
264
771088
1950
13:05
We saw a weird-looking alien bump
on a distant mountain,
on a distant mountain,
265
773631
2673
我们看见了外表奇特的外星人
出现在遥远的山上，
出现在遥远的山上，
可是一旦我们靠近了，
看到的只有一块岩石。
看到的只有一块岩石。
13:08
but once we got closer,
we saw it was a rock.
we saw it was a rock.
266
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2170
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
然后我们又该怎么做呢？
就这样放弃然后飞回去吗？
就这样放弃然后飞回去吗？
当然不能。
13:13
Absolutely not;
268
781480
1287
13:14
we would be terrible scientists if we did.
269
782791
2305
如果这么做了，
我们就是糟糕的科学家。
我们就是糟糕的科学家。
不会，我们准备花费
数十年时间来探索，
数十年时间来探索，
13:17
No, we spend the next couple
of decades exploring,
of decades exploring,
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3613
在地图上画出版图，
13:20
mapping out the territory,
271
788757
1480
用最好的工具筛掉沙子，
13:22
sifting through the sand
with a fine instrument,
with a fine instrument,
272
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2365
检查每一块石头，
13:24
peeking under every stone,
273
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1458
挖掘地底深处的秘密。
13:26
drilling under the surface.
274
794132
1554
13:28
New particles can either
show up immediately
show up immediately
275
796106
2593
新粒子要么立刻出现，
像巨大而无法忽视的碰撞一样，
13:30
as big, obvious-to-spot bumps,
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2133
或者它们可以在很多年后的
数据收集过程中才出现。
数据收集过程中才出现。
13:32
or they can only reveal themselves
after years of data taking.
after years of data taking.
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3941
13:38
Humanity has just begun its exploration
at the LHC at this big high energy,
at the LHC at this big high energy,
278
806103
4410
人类只能怀着巨大热情
从LHC里探索，
从LHC里探索，
13:42
and we have much searching to do.
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1791
我们还有许多探索工作要做。
但是假设十年或是二十年后，我们
仍然发现没有新的粒子，那该怎么办呢？
仍然发现没有新的粒子，那该怎么办呢？
13:44
But what if, even after 10 or 20 years,
we still find no new particles?
we still find no new particles?
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13:51
We build a bigger machine.
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我们会建造一个更大的机器。
13:52
(Laughter)
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（观众笑声）
我们会以更高的热情去探索。
13:54
We search at higher energies.
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13:56
We search at higher energies.
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我们会以更高的热情去探索。
13:58
Planning is already underway
for a 100-kilometer tunnel
for a 100-kilometer tunnel
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计划已经开始
在100公里长的隧道里进行，
在100公里长的隧道里进行，
14:02
that will collide particles
at 10 times the energy of the LHC.
at 10 times the energy of the LHC.
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LHC将会使用十倍的能量
来进行粒子对撞。
来进行粒子对撞。
我们不会决定自然
会把新粒子藏在哪里，
会把新粒子藏在哪里，
14:05
We don't decide where
nature places new particles.
nature places new particles.
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14:08
We only decide to keep exploring.
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我们只决定要继续探索。
14:10
But what if, even after
a 100-kilometer tunnel
a 100-kilometer tunnel
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但是假如用100公里长的隧道
或是500公里长的，
14:12
or a 500-kilometer tunnel
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甚至是10000公里长的
对撞机，都只能
对撞机，都只能
14:14
or a 10,000-kilometer
collider floating in space
collider floating in space
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漂浮在地球和月球之间了，
14:17
between the Earth and the Moon,
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我们仍然没有找到新粒子
该怎么办呢？
该怎么办呢？
14:18
we still find no new particles?
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14:23
Then perhaps we're doing
particle physics wrong.
particle physics wrong.
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那么也许我们研究
粒子物理的方法是错误的。
粒子物理的方法是错误的。
（观众笑声）
14:26
(Laughter)
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也许我们应该重新思考。
14:28
Perhaps we need to rethink things.
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14:31
Maybe we need more resources,
technology, expertise
technology, expertise
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我们可能需要比我们现在拥有的
14:34
than what we currently have.
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更多的资源，技术和专家。
14:36
We already use artificial intelligence
and machine learning techniques
and machine learning techniques
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我们已经开始在LHC的
某些部分运用人工智能
某些部分运用人工智能
和机器学习技术。
14:39
in parts of the LHC,
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但是想象一下
运用如此复杂的算法
运用如此复杂的算法
14:41
but imagine designing
a particle physics experiment
a particle physics experiment
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设计一个粒子物理试验，
14:43
using such sophisticated algorithms
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让它自己去探索超维引力子的场景。
14:45
that it could teach itself to discover
a hyperdimensional graviton.
a hyperdimensional graviton.
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但是假如可以呢？
14:48
But what if?
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假如这个终极问题：
14:49
What if the ultimate question:
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假如连人工智能都不能
帮助我们解决问题呢？
帮助我们解决问题呢？
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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假如这些存在了几个世纪
的开放式问题
的开放式问题
14:54
What if these open questions,
for centuries,
for centuries,
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注定是没有答案的，
在可预见的未来也不可能被解答呢？
在可预见的未来也不可能被解答呢？
14:56
are destined to be unanswered
for the foreseeable future?
for the foreseeable future?
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假如从我还是个孩子的时候开始
就困扰着我的那些事情
就困扰着我的那些事情
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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注定了我一生都不可能找到答案呢？
15:02
is destined to be unanswered
in my lifetime?
in my lifetime?
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15:06
Then that ...
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那么……
15:08
will be even more fascinating.
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它就更令人神魂颠倒了。
15:12
We will be forced to think
in completely new ways.
in completely new ways.
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我们将会被迫从全新的角度去思考。
15:16
We'll have to go back to our assumptions,
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我们会回到最初的设想，
来确认某处是否所有缺陷。
15:18
and determine if there was
a flaw somewhere.
a flaw somewhere.
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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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我们需要鼓励更多人
加入我们来进行科学研究，
加入我们来进行科学研究，
我们需要用新的眼光
去看待这些世纪问题。
去看待这些世纪问题。
15:24
since we need fresh eyes
on these century-old problems.
on these century-old problems.
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我没有答案，
我仍然在寻找答案。
我仍然在寻找答案。
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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可是某些人
——也许她现在正在学校里，
——也许她现在正在学校里，
15:31
But someone -- maybe
she's in school right now,
she's in school right now,
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也许她现在还没出生，
15:33
maybe she's not even born yet --
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15:35
could eventually guide us to see physics
in a completely new way,
in a completely new way,
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——某天可以带领我们
以全新的方式去探索物理世界，
以全新的方式去探索物理世界，
她可以指出也许
我们其实是问了错误的问题，
我们其实是问了错误的问题，
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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15:44
Which would not be the end of physics,
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导致我们不可能找到
物理上的正确答案，
物理上的正确答案，
反而能写出一部虚构小说。
15:46
but a novel beginning.
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15:49
Thank you.
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谢谢大家。
（观众掌声）
15:50
(Applause)
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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