Laurent Nottale
Encyclopedia
Laurent Nottale is an astrophysicist, a director of research at CNRS, and a researcher at the Paris Observatory
. He is the author and inventor of the theory of Scale Relativity
which aims to unify quantum physics
and relativity theory
.
. He defended his PhD Thesis in June 1980, entitled "Perturbation of the Hubble relation by clusters of galaxies", in which he shows that clusters of galaxies as a whole may act as gravitational lenses on distant sources. Some of these important results were reported in Nature
.
He also published a popular book L'Univers et la Lumière, Flammarion, Nouvelle Bibliothèque Scientifique 1994, Champs 1998) for which he received a prize in 1995 (Prix du livre d'Astronomie Haute-Maurienne-Vanoise).
One can distinguish two periods in Nottale's scientific career. The first one from 1975 to 1991 is dedicated to the study of gravitational lenses. This first period allowed him to become expert in general relativity
, a decisive requirement for the second period. The second period, from 1984 until today is focused on developing Scale Relativity
, which aims to unify quantum physics and relativity theory.
Scale relativity
is developed as an extension of Einstein's relativity, and is founded on the same heuristic principle. The core idea is to suppose the existence of trajectories varying according to scale transformations. Those trajectories are not rectifiable, i.e. they are fractal
. The apparently disordered motions of particles at the quantum scale are described in terms of motions following fractal geodesics. The key mathematical tool used in the theory are fractals, which Nottale also enriched to be able to model fractal space-time.
The theory leads to fundamental results, as well as precise predictions, many of which have been verified with great precision.
Among the theoretical predictions of scale relativity are:
Among the applied predictions of scale relativity to date:
As the New Scientist
has suggested, the theory certainly needs closer critical attention, coverage and discussion from the scientific community:
In 1995, his book L'Univers et la Lumière, Flammarion, Nouvelle Bibliothèque Scientifique 1994, received a prize for astronomy writing, Haute-Maurienne-Vanoise (Prix du livre d'Astronomie Haute-Maurienne-Vanoise).
In 2003, he received an award from the Centre for Hyperincursion and Anticipation in Ordered Systems (CASYS, Liège University).
In 2008, he received the best paper award at the Conference on the Evolution and Development of the Universe (EDU 2008).
Paris Observatory
The Paris Observatory is the foremost astronomical observatory of France, and one of the largest astronomical centres in the world...
. He is the author and inventor of the theory of Scale Relativity
Scale relativity
Scale relativity is a theory of space-time initially developed by Laurent Nottale, working at the French observatory of Meudon, near Paris. It is an extension of the concept of relativity found the special relativity and general relativity to physical scales . If scales in nature are always...
which aims to unify quantum physics
Quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics, also known as quantum physics or quantum theory, is a branch of physics providing a mathematical description of much of the dual particle-like and wave-like behavior and interactions of energy and matter. It departs from classical mechanics primarily at the atomic and subatomic...
and relativity theory
Theory of relativity
The theory of relativity, or simply relativity, encompasses two theories of Albert Einstein: special relativity and general relativity. However, the word relativity is sometimes used in reference to Galilean invariance....
.
Scientific career
Nottale began his professional work in the domain of general relativityGeneral relativity
General relativity or the general theory of relativity is the geometric theory of gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1916. It is the current description of gravitation in modern physics...
. He defended his PhD Thesis in June 1980, entitled "Perturbation of the Hubble relation by clusters of galaxies", in which he shows that clusters of galaxies as a whole may act as gravitational lenses on distant sources. Some of these important results were reported in Nature
Nature (journal)
Nature, first published on 4 November 1869, is ranked the world's most cited interdisciplinary scientific journal by the Science Edition of the 2010 Journal Citation Reports...
.
He also published a popular book L'Univers et la Lumière, Flammarion, Nouvelle Bibliothèque Scientifique 1994, Champs 1998) for which he received a prize in 1995 (Prix du livre d'Astronomie Haute-Maurienne-Vanoise).
One can distinguish two periods in Nottale's scientific career. The first one from 1975 to 1991 is dedicated to the study of gravitational lenses. This first period allowed him to become expert in general relativity
General relativity
General relativity or the general theory of relativity is the geometric theory of gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1916. It is the current description of gravitation in modern physics...
, a decisive requirement for the second period. The second period, from 1984 until today is focused on developing Scale Relativity
Scale relativity
Scale relativity is a theory of space-time initially developed by Laurent Nottale, working at the French observatory of Meudon, near Paris. It is an extension of the concept of relativity found the special relativity and general relativity to physical scales . If scales in nature are always...
, which aims to unify quantum physics and relativity theory.
Scale Relativity in a nutshell
Scale Relativity aims to unify quantum physics and relativity theory by introducing explicitly the scales of observation in physical equations as characterizing the "state of scale" of the coordinate system. This is made possible by the fundamental relative nature of scales: only scale ratios have a physical meaning, never an absolute scale, in the same way as there exists no absolute velocity, but only velocity differences. The analogy between special relativity and scale relativity can be pushed quite far. Einstein introduced parameters of velocity in the observational referential. The theory implies that similar results as special relativity with velocity should apply with the introduction of scales:- There exists an unreachable observational length-scale, the Planck scale, as there is in special relativity an unreachable speed, the speed of light.
- The composition of two scale changes is inferior to the product of these two scales. Similarly, in special relativity, the composition of two speeds is inferior to the sum of those two speeds.
Scale relativity
Scale relativity
Scale relativity is a theory of space-time initially developed by Laurent Nottale, working at the French observatory of Meudon, near Paris. It is an extension of the concept of relativity found the special relativity and general relativity to physical scales . If scales in nature are always...
is developed as an extension of Einstein's relativity, and is founded on the same heuristic principle. The core idea is to suppose the existence of trajectories varying according to scale transformations. Those trajectories are not rectifiable, i.e. they are fractal
Fractal
A fractal has been defined as "a rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be split into parts, each of which is a reduced-size copy of the whole," a property called self-similarity...
. The apparently disordered motions of particles at the quantum scale are described in terms of motions following fractal geodesics. The key mathematical tool used in the theory are fractals, which Nottale also enriched to be able to model fractal space-time.
The theory leads to fundamental results, as well as precise predictions, many of which have been verified with great precision.
Among the theoretical predictions of scale relativity are:
- Derivation of postulates of quantum mechanics.
Among the applied predictions of scale relativity to date:
- Prediction of the location of exoplanets
- Explanation of some observed large-scale structures
- Relation between mass and charge of the electron
As the New Scientist
New Scientist
New Scientist is a weekly non-peer-reviewed English-language international science magazine, which since 1996 has also run a website, covering recent developments in science and technology for a general audience. Founded in 1956, it is published by Reed Business Information Ltd, a subsidiary of...
has suggested, the theory certainly needs closer critical attention, coverage and discussion from the scientific community:
"I do not understand why Nottale's theory has not been given wider coverage or discussion. If he is wrong it needs debunking, if he is right he deserves a Nobel prize."
Awards
In 1987 he received the prize Digital of the French Society of Astronomy Specialists (Société Française des Spécialistes d'Astronomie). The same year, he also received a prize from the French Academy of Science.In 1995, his book L'Univers et la Lumière, Flammarion, Nouvelle Bibliothèque Scientifique 1994, received a prize for astronomy writing, Haute-Maurienne-Vanoise (Prix du livre d'Astronomie Haute-Maurienne-Vanoise).
In 2003, he received an award from the Centre for Hyperincursion and Anticipation in Ordered Systems (CASYS, Liège University).
In 2008, he received the best paper award at the Conference on the Evolution and Development of the Universe (EDU 2008).