Challenges of Astrophysics, Cosmology and Gravitation for the 21st Century

Among the fundamental interactions, three are described by unified quantum theory, i.e., the Standard Model. The fourth and last interaction is the gravitational one, described by classical theory, General Relativity (GR). Even without a theory of quantum gravitation, we can understand much of the phenomena that occur in the Universe at large scales with just the GR. Also, the study of astrophysical objects, such as neutron stars and black holes, is done through GR. Recent direct observations of gravitational waves by the LIGO / VIRGO detectors have initiated a new era of astrophysical observations – the astronomy era by gravitational waves – which now allow testing extreme limits of GR. Therefore, theoretical analyses and numerical simulations in GR are essential not only to model and explain observational results but also to guide and guide new experimental investigations.
Due to the immense difficulty in accessing experimentally regimes where Quantum Gravitation is important, we propose semiclassical theories that extend the GR and unify Gravitation with the Standard Model. Black holes, with singularities and event horizons, constitute a theoretical laboratory in which we can explore semi-classical effects such as Hawking radiation and cosmological particle production.
An experimental alternative to explore classical and semi-classical effects of gravitation is the Analog Models, i.e., non-gravitational physical systems (hydrodynamic, optical, condensed matter, etc.) that reproduce, in certain regimes, the propagation of waves in spaces-curved times. In particular, analogues of black holes may be constructed in laboratory using, for example, water. This is a recent area of research that, in addition to the study of gravitation itself, stimulates the development of technological innovations in the associated non-gravitational physical systems.
On the theoretical side, unified RG and Field Theory techniques, such as AdS / CFT holography, have been used to solve problems in highly interacting physical systems ranging from matter (particles) to high energies to the physics of condensed matter. In particular, the applications of emerging AdS / CFT holography techniques allow solving problems in highly correlated systems (in material sciences) and highly interacting (in particle physics and high energies) systems whose usual techniques are difficult to apply and often fail.

Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Vilson Tonin Zanchin
E-mail: vilson.zanchin@ufabc.edu.br@ufabc.edu.br

Coordinator’s Curriculum Lattes (research projects, publications and academic info)

Coordinator’s research grants, scholarships and main publications (FAPESP)

Challenges of Astrophysics, Cosmology and Gravitation for the 21st Century

Among the fundamental interactions, three are described by unified quantum theory, i.e., the Standard Model. The fourth and last interaction is the gravitational one, described by classical theory, General Relativity (GR). Even without a theory of quantum gravitation, we can understand much of the phenomena that occur in the Universe at large scales with just the GR. Also, the study of astrophysical objects, such as neutron stars and black holes, is done through GR. Recent direct observations of gravitational waves by the LIGO / VIRGO detectors have initiated a new era of astrophysical observations – the astronomy era by gravitational waves – which now allow testing extreme limits of GR. Therefore, theoretical analyses and numerical simulations in GR are essential not only to model and explain observational results but also to guide and guide new experimental investigations.
Due to the immense difficulty in accessing experimentally regimes where Quantum Gravitation is important, we propose semiclassical theories that extend the GR and unify Gravitation with the Standard Model. Black holes, with singularities and event horizons, constitute a theoretical laboratory in which we can explore semi-classical effects such as Hawking radiation and cosmological particle production.
An experimental alternative to explore classical and semi-classical effects of gravitation is the Analog Models, i.e., non-gravitational physical systems (hydrodynamic, optical, condensed matter, etc.) that reproduce, in certain regimes, the propagation of waves in spaces-curved times. In particular, analogues of black holes may be constructed in laboratory using, for example, water. This is a recent area of research that, in addition to the study of gravitation itself, stimulates the development of technological innovations in the associated non-gravitational physical systems.
On the theoretical side, unified RG and Field Theory techniques, such as AdS / CFT holography, have been used to solve problems in highly interacting physical systems ranging from matter (particles) to high energies to the physics of condensed matter. In particular, the applications of emerging AdS / CFT holography techniques allow solving problems in highly correlated systems (in material sciences) and highly interacting (in particle physics and high energies) systems whose usual techniques are difficult to apply and often fail.

Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Vilson Tonin Zanchin
E-mail: vilson.zanchin@ufabc.edu.br@ufabc.edu.br

Coordinator’s Curriculum Lattes (research projects, publications and academic info)

Coordinator’s research grants, scholarships and main publications (FAPESP)