I Told you
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the Dogons, a society living in Mali, West Africa. Further, I told my readers about their connection to Sirius B and the fact that they shared this story for over 1,700 years. Today, I want to share an interesting connection between the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the Dogons, and superposition (matter existing in multiple states at the same time).
First, I'd like to introduce you to Professor Sylvester James Gates Jr., a towering figure in theoretical physics who has not only made significant contributions to our understanding of supersymmetry and string theory but has also ventured into a fascinating new frontier: applying the rich symbolism of Adinkra codes to the world of physics.
Adinkra symbols, hailing from the Dogon people of Mali and the Ivory Coast, are more than just geometric designs. Each symbol carries a proverb, a moral lesson, or a philosophical concept. Consequently,

Professor Gates and physicist Michael Faux saw a deeper connection between these symbols and the abstract world of mathematics used in theoretical physics.
A+B=C or Z
Their theory revolves around a specific type of mathematical structure called a supersymmetric algebra. As a result, these algebras are crucial for describing supersymmetry, a theory that proposes a partner (a "superpartner") for every known fundamental particle
(matter). Moreover, finding a way to manipulate these complex structures efficiently is essential for further progress in supersymmetry research.
Code break
Here's where Adinkra codes come in. Professor Gates and Dr. Faux discovered that by translating the geometric elements of Adinkra symbols into mathematical entities and assigning them binary values (0s and 1s), they could create a new kind of code. So, these codes, named "doubly even self-dual linear binary error-correcting block codes," possess unique properties that make them particularly useful for representing and manipulating supersymmetric algebras.
In addition, the connection is more than merely aesthetic. The specific geometric arrangements within the Adinkra-inspired structures allow for efficient error correction, a crucial aspect in handling complex calculations in physics. Imagine working on a long equation riddled with typos. Error-correcting codes act like spellcheckers for these equations, ensuring the calculations remain accurate. Likewise, in the realm of supersymmetry, these codes can help physicists streamline calculations and potentially unlock new insights into the nature of particles and forces.
For example, how does this apply to your everyday life? Error-correcting codes are vital in ensuring your web searches run smoothly and deliver accurate results. Imagine typing a query into a search engine and receiving a jumbled mess of nonsensical text instead of relevant websites. Error-correcting codes work tirelessly to prevent this scenario, acting as silent guardians of your online information retrieval.
In summation, the error-correcting codes ensure accuracy, combat errors, and provide a more reliable and secure search experience. They do the little things that get you to your end result quicker and more accurately. As a result, Gates and his team are seeing the same technology from codes developed thousands of years ago. Thanks, Sirius B!

This & That
To Clarify, Professor Gates' work on Adinkra codes represents a beautiful bridge between seemingly disparate disciplines. It demonstrates the power of drawing inspiration from cultural symbols and applying them to complex scientific problems. Most importantly, this approach not only enriches physics with new tools but also highlights the universality of mathematical structures that can underlie diverse cultural expressions.
Professor Gates' exploration of Adinkra codes is a testament to the ongoing quest for new avenues in scientific exploration. Meanwhile, by embracing unconventional sources of inspiration and forging connections between seemingly unrelated fields, he paves the way for a richer understanding of the universe and the languages we use to describe it. Therefore, his work exemplifies the spirit of scientific inquiry, where curiosity and a willingness to explore new avenues can lead to groundbreaking discoveries.
So, now you know how a population of African people is helping physicists understand our quantum world today. However, how does this connect with the LHC and superposition?
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) played a crucial role in analyzing ATLAS LHC experiment data, which found proof of rare, high-energy particle interactions in which matter was produced from light.
E=?
Simone Pagan Griso, a Berkeley Lab physicist and Divisional Fellow who coordinated the team's efforts, said his team found about 174 particle interactions that are consistent with the creation of pairs of heavy force-carrying particles called W bosons from the collision of two photons.
As a result, the Large Hadron Collider plays with Albert Einstein's famous equation, E = mc², to transform matter into energy and then back into different forms of matter. But on rare occasions, it can skip the first step and collide pure energy – in the form of electromagnetic waves.
So, while electromagnetic waves are not strictly particles, they can sometimes exhibit particle-like behavior. These particles of light are called photons. However, even these photons have zero rest mass. Therefore, this means that a photon, when not interacting with anything, travels at the speed of light and cannot be brought to rest. Essentially, confirming energy and matter are two sides of the same coin.
Finally, let's look at the double slit test and superpositioning to confirm that what we focus on, we create.
Double or something
The double-slit experiment stands as a landmark in physics, not just for its demonstration of wave-particle duality but also for its profound connection to the enigmatic concept of superposition. As a result, this seemingly simple experiment, involving light and a barrier with two slits, throws open the doors to a world where particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously, defying our classical understanding of reality.
Moreover, at the heart of the double-slit experiment lies a fundamental question: how does light behave when it encounters a barrier with two openings? According to the well-established theory of classical mechanics, light particles would simply travel through one slit or the other, creating two distinct lines on a screen placed behind the barrier. However, the observed outcome is far more intriguing. Instead of two lines, a series of bright and dark bands, known as an interference pattern, emerges on the screen.
This interference pattern, a signature of waves, signifies that light is exhibiting wave-like behavior as it passes through the slits. But how can a single photon, a particle of light, go through two slits simultaneously? In other words, this is where the bizarre and beautiful concept of superposition enters the scene.
Superposition, a cornerstone of quantum mechanics, dictates that a particle can exist in multiple states (positions, momenta, etc.) at the same time. Imagine flipping a coin that lands not as heads or tails but as both possibilities existing simultaneously until the act of observation forces it to collapse into one definitive state.

Ride the Wave
In the context of the double-slit experiment, before reaching the screen, the photon is hypothesized to be in a superposition state. It's not definitively through slit A or slit B but instead exists as a probability wave encompassing both paths simultaneously. So, this wave function describes the likelihood of finding the photon at any given point.
In addition, as the wave representing the photon passes through both slits, the two wavefronts interfere with each other. Where the peaks (crests) of the waves overlap on the screen, a bright band appears (constructive interference). Conversely, where troughs (valleys) overlap, darkness results (destructive interference). This interplay between the waves creates the characteristic interference pattern observed on the screen.
However, the double-slit experiment takes another surprising turn with the introduction of the observer effect. If we place a detector (like a human watching it) to determine which slit the photon goes through, the interference pattern vanishes. Why? The act of observing the photon "collapses" its superposition state. By knowing which slit it went through, we force it to behave as a particle localized at a specific point, and the wave-like behavior with interference disappears.

Are you focused?
Meanwhile, the double-slit experiment, therefore, provides compelling evidence for superposition. The observed interference pattern suggests the wave nature of light, which can only be explained if the light was in a superposition state, passing through both slits simultaneously before interacting with the screen.
In conclusion, the double-slit experiment remains a powerful tool for demonstrating the counterintuitive nature of the quantum world. It unveils the concept of superposition, forcing us to confront the limitations of our everyday observations and embrace the probabilistic nature of reality at the quantum scale. Subsequently, the experiment serves as a gateway to a universe where particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously, and the act of observation itself plays a crucial role in shaping the outcome.
The human body is a magnificent tapestry woven from particles. While we may perceive ourselves as complex beings with flesh and bone, beneath the surface lies a universe of tiny, energetic building blocks.

You are who you think you are
Our bodies comprise just six elements—oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus—accounting for over 99% of our mass. These elements, in turn, are made up of even smaller particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons reside in the atom's core, the nucleus, while electrons whiz around it at specific energy levels.
Why would you believe you are anything but a member of this cosmic family and have the powers within? Science continues to discover that life is not as it seems to appear. Likewise, the Dogons and Professor Sylvester James Gates Jr. want you to know that you are the creator of this reality. I hope you take them at their word.
