Research in Gravitational Physics

该奖项支持引力物理学的广泛研究，包括弯曲时空中的量子场论、经典广义相对论和宇宙学。提出的具体研究课题包括分析弯曲时空中量子场的新的数学严格框架，以及该框架对先前不太严格的计算和潜在新效应的解释的分支。研究计划还将包括调查在超维“膜”模型中出现的问题，并进一步研究涉及重力自作用力的问题。点粒子吗?源于最近对这一效应的严格推导。这些研究领域有一个共同的主题：更深入地了解经典广义相对论的数学和物理性质以及在强引力场中发生的量子现象。这项研究的所有方面都将涉及研究生的直接参与。该奖项支持的一般研究领域引起了公众的极大兴趣。这种兴趣将通过公开讲座和PI参与促进物理学家、哲学家和科学史家之间的跨学科会议和研究合作来培养。

This award supports a broad range of research in gravitational physics, including quantum field theory in curved spacetime, classical general relativity, and cosmology. The specific research topics proposed for investigation include the analysis of a new mathematically rigorous framework for quantum fields in curved spacetime and the ramifications of this framework for interpretation of previous less rigorous calculations and potential new effects. The research program will also include investigations of issues arising in extra-dimensional "brane" models and further study of issues involving gravitational self-force on ?point particles? arising from a recent rigorous derivation of this effect. The research areas have a common theme: To obtain a deeper understanding of the mathematical and physical properties of classical general relativity and of quantum phenomena occurring in strong gravitational fields. All aspects of this research will involve the direct participation of graduate students. The general areas of research supported by this award are of considerable interest to the public. This interest will be fostered by public lectures and by the PI's participation in the promotion of interdisciplinary conferences and research collaborations between physicists and philosophers and historians of science.