The properties of a material are determined by how atoms are organized. If atoms have a random distribution, the material will behave like a liquid. If atoms organize into a regular array, the material will behave like a solid. Recently we discovered a new organization of particles which correspond to a new state of matter. The deformations (or waves) in the new state are described by the Maxwell equations and behave just like light waves. The defects in the new state behave like fermionic electrons. Thus the new state of matter provides a unification of light and electrons if we regard our vacuum to be this new state of matter.
Coffee and cookies before the presentation at 3:50 pm, and refreshments after the presentation will both be served in Room 128.