Research in Classical and Quantum Gravity

将开展一项基础广泛的引力物理研究计划。一个主要的重点将是扩展爱因斯坦的广义相对论，将量子力学原理包括在内。将被研究的悬而未决的问题包括：在将量子力学应用于整个宇宙之前，需要对量子力学进行哪些修改？在黑洞内部和大爆炸附近发生了什么--在这些区域，广义相对论因密度无限大而被打破。黑洞的量子属性是什么？它们能否解释黑洞似乎具有温度和熵的事实？研究生和博士后研究人员将接受有关知识和技术的培训，这些知识和技术对理解和发现引力物理至关重要。一些有才华的本科生也将被鼓励参与当前的研究。空间和时间的性质、宇宙的起源、物质的性质等问题都引起了广大观众的极大兴趣。目前的研究结果将通过一系列论坛向更广泛的受众传播，从公开讲座到新生研讨会，再到告知媒体记者。整个社会将受益于增加他们对科学和他们生活的世界的理解。

A broad based program of research in gravitational physics will be carried out. A major emphasis will be extending Einstein's general theory of relativity to include the principles of quantum mechanics. Among the outstanding questions that will be investigated are: What modifications of quantum mechanics are needed before it can be applied to the universe as a whole? What happens inside black holes and near the big bang - regions where general relativity is known to break downdue to infinite densities. What are the quantum properties of black holes and can they explain the fact that black holes seem to have a temperature and entropy?Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers will be trained in the knowledge and techniques that are central to understanding and discovery in gravitational physics. Some talented undergraduates will also be encouraged to participate in current research. Questions such as the nature of space and time, the origin of the universe, and the nature of matter are of great interest to a wide audience. The results of current research will be disseminated to this broader audience through a range of forums from public lectures, to freshman seminars, to informing media reporters. Society at large will benefit by increasing their understanding of science and the world they live in.