Einstein's General Relativity (GR) theory and Minkowski's Quantum Field Theory (QFT) in space successfully describe observable physics over a wide range of length and energy scales. However, it is very difficult to understand the quantum behaviour of gravity itself. At energy scales far below the Planck energy, TQC in curved space is nevertheless remarkably successful. It predicts the quantum radiance of black holes and shows how the primordial irregularities of our universe, observed in the cosmic microwave background and in the large-scale structure, can be generated in the early universe. For lengths or energies close to the Planck scale, the absence of a well-understood theory urges a worldwide effort to build a viable quantum theory for the gravitational field. The complexity of the problem requires a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating a wide range of viewpoints, ranging from sophisticated mathematics to ambitious experiments. A deep understanding of our basic theories is required, as well as an improvement of the main approaches for a proper quantum theory of gravity. Our group pursues this research strategy in an interrelated way. In particular, our main purposes are:

1. Quantum field theory in curved space-time and its observable consequences in cosmology. Initial conditions in inflation and the observable universe: low angular multipoles in the CMB, non-Gaussianities, potential quantum gravity effects, etc. Renormalisation effects in curved space: power spectra, primordial magnetic fields, etc. Mechanism of gravitational creation of particles and its physical implications (early universe, dark matter, dark energy, etc.).
2. Quantum aspects of black holes and acoustic black holes. Especially the possibility of detecting the Hawking effect through density correlations in Bose-Einstein condensates; study of quantum effects in black holes/acoustic black holes; backreaction of the Hawking flow in BECs; applications of analogue gravity in cosmology; mini black holes at the LHC, correlations and unitarity.
3. Classical and quantum aspects of gravitation in Palatini formalism. Extensions of general relativity and astrophysical and cosmological applications, semiclassical formulation of quantum field theory, dynamics of brane-worlds and AdS/CFT correspondence in geometries with independent metric and connection (Palatini). Structure and stability of black holes in such varieties. Non-singular cosmologies and effective descriptions of quantum gravity models, problem of accelerated cosmic expansion and dark matter from a gravitational point of view.
4. Supersymmetry and spacetime deformations. Deformations of Minkowski superspace and conformal superspace in terms of super Grassmannians and quantum super flags. Field theories of these non-commutative spaces. Solutions of black holes in supergravity: universality and classification.

Partners

• Roberto Balbinot - Università di Bologna (Italia)
• Sergio Ferrara - European organization for nuclear research (Francia)
• Leonard Parker - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (EEUU)
• Helios Sanchís Alepuz - Justus-Liebig Universität Giessen (Alemania)

Other research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineering