Masterclass on thermodynamics of black holesFather of string theory Edward Witten in Hamburg

20 January 2025

Photo: OFC-LLC

The Wolfgang Pauli Center for Theoretical Physics (WPC), a joint institution of the University of Hamburg and DESY, hosted a groundbreaking master class on "Invitation to Black Hole Thermodynamics" led by Professor Edward Witten, one of the most influential physicists of our time. Held at DESY from 14 to 17 January, the event attracted more than 300 registered international participants, underscoring the global interest in Witten’s pioneering contributions to theoretical physics.

Edward Witten, a faculty member at the Institute for Advanced Studies, Princeton, is often referred to as the father of string theory. His revolutionary applications of quantum physics to mathematical problems have created the field of “physical mathematics”. His work, especially on quantum field theory and its deep implications for high-energy physics, statistical physics, and dualities, has profoundly shaped the understanding of the universe. 

Witten’s long list of accolades includes the Fields Medal in 1990, often regarded as the "Nobel Prize" of mathematics, the Lorentz Medal (2010), the Isaac Newton Medal (2010), and the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics (2012). In 2023, he was honored with the Hamburg Prize for Theoretical Physics.

In the masterclass, Witten offered an introduction to the world of black hole thermodynamics throughout the week. His lecture series explored the quantum mechanical behavior of black holes, which, unlike their classical counterparts, are not simple, featureless objects. Instead, they act as intricate many-body systems governed by the laws of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, a concept first introduced by physicists Bekenstein and Hawking over 50 years ago. Witten’s lectures delved into both well-established theories and new, evolving ideas in the field, leaving many fundamental challenges still open.

“The master class was not only an academic milestone for the community but also highlighted the WPC's role in advancing research in theoretical physics,” says Volker Schomerus, one of the spokespersons of the WPC. The Wolfgang Pauli Centre, a collaborative hub between University of Hamburg and DESY, brings together leading experts from particle physics, astrophysics, mathematical physics, and more. The school was organized as part of their ongoing mission to foster innovation through cross-disciplinary research and international partnerships.