Contemporary Physics: Trieste Symposium 1968. Vol. I. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Contemporary Physics

In June 1968, the International Centre for Theoretical Physics was privileged to hold an extended symposium on contemporary physics — an event probably unique in that its aim was to range over and review not just one specialized aspect of modern physics but its entire spectrum. The symposium brought together a group of 300 leading specialists in particle physics, theory of condensed matter, astrophysics, relativity, plasma physics, cosmology, nuclear physics, quantum electronics and biophysics; they lived together for three weeks, to deliver, to discuss and to listen to lectures in depth on their various specialities. The intention was to acquire, if possible, a deeper sense of the scope and unified nature of the general subject — physics — by sharing the insights of its fascinatingly diverse disciplines. The present two volumes are a record of the proceedings of the symposium. The first groups papers presented on condensed and plasma matter, on earth and in the universe; the second deals with theory of matter at very small distances and fundamentals of quantum theory. How far did we succeed in achieving the objectives of the symposium? Did we succeed in communicating to those in other disciplines the present situation in our own — the problems, the prospects? Did we emerge, three weeks after, as universal in our outlook and competence as the great physicists of even forty years ago, who could, with felicity, pass from one discipline to another enriching each? How much cross-fertilization was achieved? To what extent were the hierarchy of disciplines and the barriers between generations broken? In retrospect — and particularly in retrospect — the answers to these questions appear positive: we succeeded perhaps partially; but far more than anyone anticipated. There is no doubt that communication is a difficult art. There was so much ground to be covered before the treasures of one's own discipline could be unfolded. We could not easily forget those in the audience belonging to our own specialities. We were all guilty of exaggerating the importance of the problems of just this day — this will be found reflected in the proceedings, where survey lectures designed expressly for those in other disciplines are juxtaposed with contributions unabashedly specialized. We debated long on whether to publish the latter. In the end we decided to do so, for these contributions do sample in depth the present day's preoccupations with a vital, living subject in all its kaleidoscopic aspects, and they give a perspective to the general surveys. Notwithstanding these specialist contributions, however, there did shine through the symposium the recognition that physics is still very much a unity - that even though they may appear under different names and guises in differing specialities, the conceptual constructs are the same; that results and techniques, both experimental and theoretical, developed for one discipline are relevant in others. If anything, we grew fonder of, more enthusiastic about our own discipline, after recognizing the problems which the others face. But, even more than the scientific, for most of us the symposium was a human experience of a lifetime. I do not believe there ever has assembled, at one time and place and for so long, such a galaxy of first-rate physicists from so diverse fields; most lecturers were the men who had been responsible for creating their subjects. Then there was the civilizing influence of the presence among us, over three weeks, of some of the grand old men of physics — the founders of modern quantum theory — who so warmly responded to the invitation to participate. We were privileged to hear evening lectures from some of them (to be published as a Supplement to the IAEA Bulletin) on their life of physics. These were magical evenings and perhaps the most memorable part of the symposium