Research in Gravitational Physics

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This award is concerned with a broad range of research ingravitational physics. Some of the research deals with issues that havearisen in attempts to formulate a quantum theory of gravity, such asissues involved in the calculation of the "wavefunction of the universe".Other projects involve investigation of the effects of stronggravitational fields on the quantum properties of matter, such as theextent to which certain positive energy properties continue to hold in thepresence of gravity. Yet other research projects concern the nature andproperties of classical gravitational fields in the theory of generalrelativity. Some of the latter projects---such as the determination offorces on bodies associated with their emission of gravitationalradiation---have direct implications for astrophysics and cosmology.Although the proposed research includes a wide range of topics ina number of different areas, there is a common theme to the main goals ofthe research: To obtain a deeper understanding of the mathematical andphysical properties of the gravitational field as described by the theoryof general relativity, and to make progress toward the formulation anddevelopment of a quantum theory of gravity. The development of a quantumtheory of gravity is currently at the forefront of fundamental research intheoretical physics.