Theoretical Aspects of Black Hole Physics

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I plan to advance our understanding of one of the most fascinating features of our Universe: black holes. My research program focuses on theoretical aspects of these objects. My long-term goals are to develop new techniques for studying black hole perturbations, to understand the implications of black hole thermodynamics, and to connect the fundamental properties of black holes with observations. In the next 5 years, I will concentrate on four topics of fundamental interest. 1) Black hole thermodynamics My recent discoveries in black hole thermodynamics marked the beginning of a new discipline nowadays called the black hole chemistry. I will use my expertise to study black holes in this context. The aim is to provide further insights into the quantum statistical nature of black holes, find a more complete thermodynamic dictionary, and raise new challenges for the gauge/gravity duality. 2) Black hole perturbations Rotating black hole spacetimes in all dimensions admit a remarkable hidden symmetry that allows one to study the behavior of various physical fields in their vicinity. As a leading expert on the subject of hidden symmetries and field equations in curved space, I aim to resolve the remaining long-standing puzzle: how to exploit this hidden  symmetry for the study of gravitational perturbations? This will open new horizons for studying the (in)stability of these black holes, their quasinormal modes, and Hawking radiation. At the same time it will advance mathematical techniques and provide tools for constructing new solutions of Einstein's equations. 3) Gravitational waves With the ground-breaking discovery by LIGO, gravitational waves are at the forefront of gravitational research today. I plan to test a novel quadrupole formula for calculating the gravitational wave signatures produced by a binary black hole merger that take into account the effect of the cosmological expansion of our Universe. 4) Quantum aspects Quantum effects are especially interesting in curved space where they modify the fundamental notions of particles and locality. I am going to study the particle production in spacetimes with multiple horizons, probe a possibility of non-local detection of inertial frame dragging, and investigate the equivalence principle violations. The students working in my research group will benefit from the world-class training environment of the Perimeter Institute/University of Waterloo. They will participate in cutting-edge research, learn advanced mathematics and mathematical modeling. They will be in high demand for any leading positions that require independent, analytic, and creative thinking. Our work will impact various disciplines (ranging from pure mathematics to astrophysics) and may revolutionize our understanding of gravitational and black hole physics. All these developments will reinforce the leading role of Canada in basic research, theoretical physics, and training of highly qualified personnel.