Universal Constants, Standard Models and Fundamental Metrology

TL;DR

This paper discusses how four universal constants underpin the structure of theoretical physics, leading to standard models that describe particle physics and cosmology, and support fundamental metrology.

Contribution

It highlights the role of four universal constants in structuring the three main theories of physics and their connection to standard models and metrology.

Findings

Three main theories are based on pairs of universal constants.

Standard models effectively describe experimental and observational data.

Universal constants underpin the theoretical basis of fundamental metrology.

Abstract

Taking into account four universal constants, namely the Planck's constant $h$, the velocity of light $c$, the constant of gravitation $G$ and the Boltzmann's constant $k$ leads to structuring theoretical physics in terms of three theories each taking into account a pair of constants: the quantum theory of fields ($h$ and $c$), the general theory of relativity ($c$ and $G$) and quantum statistics ($h$ and $k$). These three theories are not yet unified but, together, they underlie the standard models that allow a satisfactory phenomenological description of all experimental or observational data, in particle physics and in cosmology and they provide, through the modern interpretation of quantum physics, fundamental metrology with a reliable theoretical basis.