A search for a quantum theory of gravity has for many years proved extremely difficult. Our group currently explores various directions to solve this problem.
Quantum Gravity through asymptotic safety
In recent years, renormalisation group studies have indicated that a quantum theory of gravity in the metric field may be asyptotically safe, opening a new and exciting field of research. At very large distances, the renormalisation group modifications to the laws of gravity are studied in view of cosmological implications.
Effective Quantum Gravity
The aim of this research direction is to push quantum field theory and general relativity in the corner to understand how much information can be obtained about a theory of theory of quantum gravity using very well established techniques. Recently, it has been shown that such a theory could entail nonlocal effects around the Planck mass which we are trying to understand. Another important result is that the Planck mass, i.e., the cutoff of the effective theory is a dynamical quantity which depends on the number of fields in nature. We are aiming at making the link to experiments and observations as well.
Black Hole Physics
The aims of the project are to understand the physics of black holes. Can we use black holes to probe General Relativity? Is the horizon a special place? What happens to the singularity at r=0? Can quantum effects resolve this singularity. We are also interested in quantum effects in black holes.
Beyond General Relativity
How does one modify General Relativity? Can such modifications be classified? When are these new theories truly different from Einstein’s theory? Can one explain dark energy or dark matter with modifications of General Relativity?
Gravitational Waves
Can we probe quantum gravity or physics beyond General Relativity with gravitational waves? This is an exciting direction given the recent discovery of gravitational waves.