Theory and Phenomenology of Einstein Equivalence Principle Violations

量子物理学和爱因斯坦的广义相对论(GR)相当成功地描述了几乎所有已知的物理学。然而，物理学家推测，存在一种将这两种理论统一起来的万物理论。最近流行的一种方法是确定这样一个统一理论的特征，这些特征可能导致在敏感的实验和观测中产生实验签名或新物理学的证据。GR的基本原则，例如在空间中没有任何特殊的方向(空间的各向同性)，可能会在统一物理理论的提议中被违反。PI将研究打破空间各向同性的新型信号，这些信号可以在对脉冲星等天体物理系统的敏感观测中测量到，也可以在测量时空中的涟漪(称为引力波)时测量到。该奖项将支持本科生在理论物理方面的研究机会。爱因斯坦等价原理(EEP)是GR的重要基础，其中包括被称为局域洛伦兹对称的时空对称性。量子引力的一些候选模型包含这样一种可能性，即在自然界中可能会发生微小的时空对称性破坏。用一个有效的场论框架描述了时空对称性的一般违反。PI将研究有效场论框架，寻找引力波观测和其他天体物理系统(如脉冲星)中时空对称性破坏信号的解决方案。参与GR精度测试的研究人员，特别是引力波测试，将找到寻找GR以外的新效应和新物理的动机和其他领域。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Quantum physics and Einstein's General Relativity (GR) describe nearly all known physics quite successfully. However, physicists conjecture that there exists a theory of everything that would unify these two theories. One popular approach of late is to identify features of such a unified theory that could result in experimental signatures or evidence of new physics in sensitive experiments and observations. Fundamental principles of GR such as the lack of any special direction in space (isotropy of space) could be violated in proposals for a unified theory of physics. The PI will investigate new types of signals for the breaking of isotropy of space that could be measured in sensitive observations of astrophysical systems like pulsars and measurements of the ripples in spacetime known as gravitational waves. This award will support undergraduate research opportunities in theoretical physics.The Einstein Equivalence Principle (EEP), a vital foundation of GR, includes the spacetime symmetry called local Lorentz symmetry. Some candidate models of quantum gravity contain the possibility that minuscule violations of spacetime symmetry may occur in nature. Generic violations of spacetime symmetry are described using an effective field theory framework. The PI will study the effective field theory framework, seeking solutions for signals for spacetime-symmetry violations in gravitational wave observations and other astrophysical systems like pulsars. Researchers involved in precision tests of GR, in particular gravitational wave tests, will find motivation and additional areas in which to search for novel effects and new physics beyond GR.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.