Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
University of Lethbridge
$17,000.00
Quantum Gravity: Phenomenological and Theoretical Aspects
FY 2014-15
Summary
A successful formulation of a quantum theory of the gravitational field, known as Quantum Gravity (QG), remains as one of the foremost challenges of theoretical physics. The related area of cosmology also poses some of the most fundamental problems about the origin, evolution and fate of our universe. While there are various promising theories of QG (such as superstring theory, loop quantum gravity etc), there has not been a single experiment or observation to our knowledge which clearly supports or refutes any theory. Although this is normally attributed to the immensity of, and the related difficulty of directly accessing the Planck energy scale, we believe current experimental accuracies and those in the near future may be able to detect such experimental signatures in at least some laboratory based experiments. During 2012-2017, I would like to examine this aspect in detail, by studying a host of quantum systems and phenomena which may potentially show some of these signatures. These are expected to arise from specific corrections to quantum Hamiltonians governing these systems, as predicted by various theories of QG. Absence of any measurable signatures would also be useful in predicting important bounds on various QG parameters. I would also like to examine aspects of Black Hole Physics, especially those related to its entropy, Hawking radiation and the related information loss problem (black holes being strongly gravitating compact objects, serve as `theoretical laboratories' for testing various QG theories). Finally, in collaboration with an experimentalist, I would also like to study laboratory based experiments to test Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) type theories, which serve as interesting and viable alternatives to the Dark Matter hypothesis.There is considerable scope for innovation, collaboration and the opportunity to train a number of Highly Qualified Personnel, including undergraduate and graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, in this research program.
Program
Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Recipient
Location
Alberta, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
288322-2012
Name nom
Das, Saurya
Department département
Physics & Astronomy
Organization id
12
Institution établissement
University of Lethbridge
Province en
Alberta
Province fr
Alberta
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2014
Competition year année de concours
2012
Award amount
17000
Program id
RGPIN
Program name en
Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Program name fr
Programme de subventions à la découverte - individuelles
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1505
Committee name en
Physics
Committee name fr
Physique
Area of application code
1202
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Physical sciences
Area of application fr
Sciences physiques
Research subject code
3154
Research subject group en
Theoretical physics and chemistry
Research subject group fr
Physique et chimie théoriques
Research subject en
Relativity and gravitation
Research subject fr
Relativité et gravitation
Partie
3
Nb partie
5
Application title
Quantum Gravity: Phenomenological and Theoretical Aspects
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
A successful formulation of a quantum theory of the gravitational field, known as Quantum Gravity (QG), remains as one of the foremost challenges of theoretical physics. The related area of cosmology also poses some of the most fundamental problems about the origin, evolution and fate of our universe. While there are various promising theories of QG (such as superstring theory, loop quantum gravity etc), there has not been a single experiment or observation to our knowledge which clearly supports or refutes any theory. Although this is normally attributed to the immensity of, and the related difficulty of directly accessing the Planck energy scale, we believe current experimental accuracies and those in the near future may be able to detect such experimental signatures in at least some laboratory based experiments. During 2012-2017, I would like to examine this aspect in detail, by studying a host of quantum systems and phenomena which may potentially show some of these signatures. These are expected to arise from specific corrections to quantum Hamiltonians governing these systems, as predicted by various theories of QG. Absence of any measurable signatures would also be useful in predicting important bounds on various QG parameters. I would also like to examine aspects of Black Hole Physics, especially those related to its entropy, Hawking radiation and the related information loss problem (black holes being strongly gravitating compact objects, serve as `theoretical laboratories' for testing various QG theories). Finally, in collaboration with an experimentalist, I would also like to study laboratory based experiments to test Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) type theories, which serve as interesting and viable alternatives to the Dark Matter hypothesis.There is considerable scope for innovation, collaboration and the opportunity to train a number of Highly Qualified Personnel, including undergraduate and graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, in this research program.
