Harnessing Quantum Field Theory For Gravity

Lead Research Organisation: Queen Mary University of London
Department Name: Sch of Mathematical Sciences

Abstract

The grand objectives of this research program extend from delivering analytical high-precision predictions
for real-world gravitational-wave data, to developing our fundamental understanding of gravity from the
smallest quantum to the largest cosmological scales. In other words: How far and deep can we push
precision computation in gravity? And what does it fundamentally tell us about gravity theory and its
resolution with the quantum world?
This program uniquely addresses the timely high demand for accurate theoretical templates of gravitational
waveforms from two merging compact objects, such as black holes. Pushing the precision frontier for
gravitational waves is one of the most urgent tasks in theoretical physics today, in light of the increasing
influx of data from a rapidly growing worldwide network of gravitational-wave detectors. The program
builds on my unique expertise in both quantum field theory and gravity to analytically predict gravitational
radiation from such compact binaries, and to further develop the powerful use of quantum field theory
advances to study gravity, where I have played a crucial role.
This innovative development of ideas and methods from the realm of particle physics to study fundamental
concepts in gravity theories leads us to uncover profound duality relations between gauge and gravity
theories, and to expose universal commonalities across classical and quantum field theories. In light of its
far-reaching objectives and its non-traditional nature, this research program, which links traditionally
disparate branches of physics, has a high potential for crossover conceptual impact across theoretical and
experimental physics.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description Alex Edison 
Organisation Uppsala University
Department Department of Physics and Astronomy
Country Sweden 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Collaboration with postdoc, resulted 1 joint publication within 1st reporting period
Collaborator Contribution Collaboration with PI/fellow, resulted 1 joint publication within 1st reporting period
Impact Publication: A tale of tails through generalized unitarity, Edison, Alex; Levi, Michèle arXiv:2202.04674
Start Year 2022
 
Description Jung-Wook Kim 
Organisation Queen Mary University of London
Department School of Physics and Astronomy
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Collaboration with postdoc; resulted in 1 joint publication within 1st reporting period + 2 joint publications within 2nd reporting period
Collaborator Contribution Collaboration with fellow/PI; resulted in 1 joint publication within 1st reporting period + 2 joint publications within 2nd reporting period
Impact 1 + 2 joint publications as detailed in the publications outcomes
Start Year 2022
 
Description Roger Morales 
Organisation University of Copenhagen
Department Niels Bohr Institute
Country Denmark 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Collaboration with past masters student; resulted in 1 joint publication within 2nd reporting period
Collaborator Contribution Collaboration with fellow/PI; resulted in 1 joint publication within 2nd reporting period
Impact 1 joint publication as listed in the publications outcomes
Start Year 2022
 
Description Zhewei Yin 
Organisation Uppsala University
Department Department of Physics and Astronomy
Country Sweden 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Collaboration with postdoc; resulted in 1 joint publication within 1st reporting period + 4 joint publications within 2nd reporting period
Collaborator Contribution Collaboration with PI/fellow; resulted in 1 joint publication within 1st reporting period + 4 joint publications within 2nd reporting period
Impact 1+4 publications as listed in the publications outcomes
Start Year 2022