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Concept
Large extra dimensions
Summary
In particle physics and string theory (M-theory), the ADD model, also known as the model with large extra dimensions (LED), is a model framework that attempts to solve the hierarchy problem. (Why is the force of gravity so weak compared to the electromagnetic force and the other fundamental forces?) The model tries to explain this problem by postulating that our universe, with its four dimensions (three spatial ones plus time), exists on a membrane in a higher dimensional space. It is then suggested that the other forces of nature (the electromagnetic force, strong interaction, and weak interaction) operate within this membrane and its four dimensions, while the hypothetical gravity-bearing particle graviton can propagate across the extra dimensions. This would explain why gravity is very weak compared to the other fundamental forces. The size of the dimensions in ADD is around the order of the TeV scale, which results in it being experimentally probeable by current colliders, unlike many exotic extra dimensional hypotheses that have the relevant size around the Planck scale.
The model was proposed by Nima Arkani-Hamed, Savas Dimopoulos, and Gia Dvali in 1998.
One way to test the theory is performed by colliding together two protons in the Large Hadron Collider so that they interact and produce particles. If a graviton were to be formed in the collision, it could propagate into the extra dimensions, resulting in an imbalance of transverse momentum. No experiments from the Large Hadron Collider have been decisive thus far. However, the operation range of the LHC (13 TeV collision energy) covers only a small part of the predicted range in which evidence for LED would be recorded (a few TeV to 1016 TeV). This suggests that the theory might be more thoroughly tested with more advanced technology.
Traditionally, in theoretical physics, the Planck scale is the highest energy scale and all dimensionful parameters are measured in terms of the Planck scale.
Official source
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