利用FAST的射电观测检验相对论基本假设

爱因斯坦的广义相对论和狭义相对论理论是现代物理学的基石之一，在天文学乃至基础物理学领域中有着非常重要的应用。天文现象得天独厚的极端特征为我们提供了检验相对论基本假设（如狭义相对论的光子零静止质量假设和广义相对论的等效原理）的最佳实验平台。本项目将详细研究如何更有效地利用500米口径球面射电望远镜（FAST）的射电观测数据检验基本物理原理，包括：（a）基于FAST观测到的河外射电脉冲星和快速射电暴的统计样本，扣除等离子体效应造成的时间延迟，得到光子静止质量的强有力保守限制，检验光子零静止质量假设；（b）利用FAST时代可能探测到的与引力波事件或伽玛射线暴成协的快速射电暴，开展多波段、多信使的弱等效原理检验；（c）模拟预言未来引力波-快速射电暴-伽玛暴三者成协系统作为宇宙学探针的可能性，为FAST的后续观测提供重要的科学依据。

Einstein’s theory of general and special relativity is an important cornerstone of modern physics, which has a wide application in the fields of astronomy and fundamental physics. Astronomical phenomena, with their extreme features, have been the best testbeds for testing basic physical principles, such as the photon zero-mass hypothesis and the weak equivalence principle (WEP). In this project, we will explore how to test fundamental physics more effectively using radio observations from Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). (a) We will propose a new method through which the time delay caused by the plasma effect can be extracted, by analyzing the statistical samples of extragalactic radio pulsars and fast radio bursts (FRBs) from FAST. This allows to simultaneously establish robust limits on the photon rest mass and test the photon zero-mass hypothesis. (b) With the possible associations of FRBs with gravitational wave (GW) events or with gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) in the FAST era, multi-wavelength and multi-messenger tests of the WEP will be carried out. (c) We will discuss the possibility of using GW-FRB-GRB association systems as a viable cosmic probe, providing the scientific basis for the follow-up observations of FAST.