Large physics models: towards a collaborative approach with large language models and foundation models
The European Physical Journal C, vol. 85
Abstract
Abstract This paper explores the development and evaluation of physics-specific large-scale AI models, which we refer to as large physics models (LPMs). These models, based on foundation models such as large language models (LLMs) are tailored to address the unique demands of physics research. LPMs can function independently or as part of an integrated framework. This framework can incorporate specialized tools, including symbolic reasoning modules for mathematical manipulations, frameworks to analyse specific experimental and simulated data, and mechanisms for synthesizing insights from physical theories and scientific literature. We begin by examining whether the physics community should actively develop and refine dedicated models, rather than relying solely on commercial LLMs. We then outline how LPMs can be realized through interdisciplinary collaboration among experts in physics, computer science, and philosophy of science. To integrate these models effectively, we identify three key pillars: Development, Evaluation, and Philosophical Reflection. Development focuses on constructing models capable of processing physics texts, mathematical formulations, and diverse physical data. Evaluation assesses accuracy and reliability through testing and benchmarking. Finally, Philosophical Reflection encompasses the analysis of broader implications of LLMs in physics, including their potential to generate new scientific understanding and what novel collaboration dynamics might arise in research. Inspired by the organizational structure of experimental collaborations in particle physics, we propose a similarly interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to building and refining large physics models. This roadmap provides specific objectives, defines pathways to achieve them, and identifies challenges that must be addressed to realise physics-specific large scale AI models.
Authors 22
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Affiliation as printed
CLPS-Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science, UGent
CLPS-Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science, UGent, Ghent, Belgium
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S. Caron corresponding
Radboud University Nijmegen · National Institute for Subatomic Physics
Affiliation as printed
Radboud University and Nikhef
IMAPP, Radboud University and Nikhef, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Utrecht University
Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Radboud University
Institute for Science in Society, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas · Instituto de Física Corpuscular
Affiliation as printed
Instituto de Física Corpuscular (IFIC), CSIC-UV
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Affiliation as printed
University of Twente
University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
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Center for Scalable Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence · Technische Universität Dresden
Affiliation as printed
TU Dresden & ScaDS.AI
TU Dresden & ScaDS.AI, Dresden/Leipzig, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
ErUM-Data-Hub & TU Dortmund University
ErUM-Data-Hub & TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
University of Geneva
University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Affiliation as printed
Radboud University
Computing and Information Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Technical University of Munich
Affiliation as printed
Technical University of Munich
Physics Department, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
TU Wien
TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
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Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology
Affiliation as printed
Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET)
Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET), Patiala, India
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg
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University of Groningen · Institute of Philosophy and Sociology · Polish Academy of Sciences
Affiliation as printed
Department of Theoretical Philosophy at University of Groningen
Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at Polish Academy of Sciences
Department of Theoretical Philosophy at University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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Michael Krämer Aachen
Affiliation as printed
RWTH Aachen University
RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Universidad de Cantabria · Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas · Instituto de Física de Cantabria
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Physics of Cantabria (IFCA), CSIC-UC
Institute of Physics of Cantabria (IFCA), CSIC-UC, Santander, Spain
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Radboud University Nijmegen · National Institute for Subatomic Physics
Affiliation as printed
Ippen Digital
Radboud University and Nikhef
Ippen Digital, Munich, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
CLPS-Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science, UGent
CLPS-Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science, UGent, Ghent, Belgium
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Affiliation as printed
Universidad de Oviedo and ICTEA
Universidad de Oviedo and ICTEA, Oviedo, Spain
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Affiliation as printed
CLPS-Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science, UGent
CLPS-Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science, UGent, Ghent, Belgium
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Institute of Physics · University of Amsterdam
Affiliation as printed
University of Amsterdam
GRAPPA, Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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