Establishing Analogies between the Physics of Extra Dimensions and Carbon Nanotubes

TL;DR

This paper draws a conceptual analogy between the physics of extra dimensions and carbon nanotubes, using Kaluza-Klein theory to interpret nanotube properties and proposing experiments to explore extra-dimensional models in condensed matter systems.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analogy between extra-dimensional physics and carbon nanotubes, applying Kaluza-Klein theory to interpret nanotube phenomena and suggesting tabletop experiments to probe extra dimensions.

Findings

Kaluza-Klein description applies to nanotubes at low energies

Experimental results for nanotubes can be reinterpreted via extra-dimensional models

Proposes new experiments to test extra-dimensional theories in condensed matter

Abstract

We point out a conceptual analogy between the physics of extra spatial dimensions and the physics of carbon nanotubes which arises for principle reasons, although the corresponding energy scales are at least ten orders of magnitude apart. For low energies, one can apply the Kaluza-Klein description to both types of systems, leading to two completely different but consistent interpretations of the underlying physics. In particular, we discuss in detail the Kaluza-Klein description of armchair and zig-zag carbon nanotubes. Furthermore, we describe how certain experimental results for carbon nanotubes could be re-interpreted in terms of the Kaluza-Klein description. Finally, we present ideas for new measurements that could allow to probe concepts of models with extra spatial dimensions in table-top experiments, providing further links between condensed matter and particle physics.