Are We Living in a Higher Dimensional Universe?

TL;DR

This paper reviews the evolution of theories involving extra dimensions, highlighting their mathematical foundations, unification efforts, and cosmological implications, from historical to modern perspectives.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive classification of higher-dimensional theories across three historical eras, emphasizing mathematical rigor and recent developments in physics.

Findings

Higher-dimensional theories have evolved through three main eras.

Unification of forces often involves extra dimensions, as in Kaluza-Klein theory.

Extra dimensions have potential cosmological implications and can be visualized through specific models.

Abstract

It is a brief review of the physical theories embodying the idea of extra dimensions, starting from the pre-historic times to the present day. Here we have classified the developments into three eras, such as Pre-Einstein, Einstein and Kaluza-Klein. Here the views and flow of thoughts are emphasized rather rigorous mathematical details. Majour developments in Quantum field theory and Particle physics are outlined. Some well known higher dimensional approaches to unification are discussed. This is concluded with some examples for visualizing extra dimensions and a short discussion on the cosmological implications and possible existence of the same.