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Asymptotic Freedom: From Paradox to Paradigm

Frank Wilczek
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Abstract

Asymptotic freedom was developed as a response to two paradoxes: the weirdness of quarks, and in particular their failure to radiate copiously when struck; and the coexistence of special relativity and quantum theory, despite the apparent singularity of quantum field theory. It resolved these paradoxes, and catalyzed the development of several modern paradigms: the hard reality of quarks and gluons, the origin of mass from energy, the simplicity of the early universe, and the power of symmetry as a guide to physical law.

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Frank Wilczek. 2005-02-15. Asymptotic Freedom: From Paradox to Paradigm. https://doi.org/10.1103/revmodphys.77.857

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