Research in Theoretical Cosmology, Quantum and Classical Gravity

该奖项支持的工作是在引力理论和基本粒子理论的交叉点，在那里发现了许多物理学和宇宙学的前沿问题。从本质上讲，“前沿”是对整齐分类的抗拒，但这个研究项目有几个主题：宇宙学之谜，特别是观测到的宇宙加速膨胀；量子引力的本质，是全面了解这个宇宙的最大障碍，以及一系列更技术性的研究，这些研究的阐明将有助于解决上述孪生之谜。该奖项支持的基础研究的广泛影响是打开人类的智力视野。虽然在过去的几个世纪里，支配宇宙的定律一直在稳步建立，但随着宇宙第一次在整个尺度上被观察到，突破现在可能是可能的。

The work supported by this award lies at the intersection of gravitational theory and elementary particle theory, where many of the frontier problems of physics and cosmology are found. Frontiers are intrinsically resistant to neat categorization, but several themes characterize this research program: The enigmas of cosmology, particularly the observed accelerated expansion of the universe; the nature of quantum gravity, the biggest single hurdle to a fuller understanding of this universe, and a set of more technical studies whose elucidation would help in resolving the above twin mysteries. The broad impact of fundamental investigation such as those supported by this award is to open humanity's intellectual horizons. While the laws governing the universe have been steadily built up over the last few centuries, breakthroughs may be possible now as the universe is observed across its entire scale for the very first time.