This talk is a re-recording of a talk given by David Chester to Louis Kauffman’s Quantum Topology seminary at the University of Illinois at Chicago on March 24th, 2022.
We give an overview of the utilization of E8 in theoretical physics for applications to unified field theory. Concepts such as Lie groups, root systems, and exceptional Lie groups are introduced. A brief overview of spacetime symmetries for gravity and gauge symmetries for the standard model and beyond is provided. A history of exceptional Lie groups in physics is provided, with a highlight on the work stemming from Feza Gursey and his doctoral students. E8 grand unified theory, Garrett Lisi’s E8 model, and E8 x E8 heterotic string theory are briefly reviewed. We conclude by discussing recent advances in applications of E8 to unified field theory.
