The twistor theory, originally developed by Roger Penrose in 1967, is the mathematical theory which maps the geometric objects of the four dimensional space-time (Minkowski space) into the geometric objects in the 4-dimensional complex space with the metric signature (2,2). Sir Roger Penrose, OM, FRS (born 8 August 1931) is an English mathematical physicist and Emeritus Rouse Ball Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... In physics and mathematics, Minkowski space (or Minkowski spacetime) is the mathematical setting in which Einsteins theory of special relativity is most conveniently formulated. ...

The coordinates in such a space are called twistors.

For some time there was hope that the twistor theory may be the right approach towards solving quantum gravity, but this is now considered unlikely. Quantum gravity is the field of theoretical physics attempting to unify the theory of quantum mechanics, which describes three of the fundamental forces of nature, with general relativity, the theory of the fourth fundamental force: gravity. ...

The twistor approach appears to be especially natural for solving the equations of motion of massless fields of arbitrary spin. The terms spin and SPIN have several meanings, including those primarily discussed as spinning: For spin in sub-atomic physics, see spin (physics) For the stalled aircraft maneuver or any of several forms of loss of control in aircraft, see spin (flight) For the periodical, see Spin Magazine For the...

Recently, Edward Witten used twistor theory to understand certain Yang-Mills amplitudes, by relating them to a certain string theory, the topological B model, embedded in twistor space. This field has come to be known as twistor string theory. Edward Witten at the Institute for Advanced Study Edward Witten (born August 26, 1951) is an American mathematical physicist, Fields Medalist, and professor at the Institute for Advanced Study. ... Gauge theories are a class of physical theories based on the idea that symmetry transformations can be performed locally as well as globally. ... The S-matrix is the matrix in quantum mechanics or quantum field theory that relates the final state in the infinite future and the initial state in the infinite past. ... Interaction in the subatomic world: world lines of pointlike particles in the Standard Model or a world sheet swept up by closed strings in string theory String theory is a model of fundamental physics whose building blocks are one-dimensional extended objects (strings) rather than the zero-dimensional points (particles... Topology (Greek topos = place and logos = word) is a branch of mathematics concerned with the study of topological spaces. ...

See also

• Twistor space

In mathematics, twistor space is four-dimensional complex space T := C4. ...

External links

• Twistor Theory and the Twistor Programme
• MathWorld - Twistors
• Roger Penrose - On the Origins of Twistor Theory
• Roger Penrose - The Central Programme of Twistor Theory
• Richard Jozsa - Applications of Sheaf Cohomology in Twistor Theory
• Fedja Hadrovich - Twistor primer