Quantum theory and General Relativity have opened new perspectives on reality. Merging these two theories demands us to rethink our understanding of fundamental notions like Time, Space and the Quantum. The Center is an independent research foundation focusing on the conceptual issues arising.
The Center was founded thanks to the generosity, the vision and the passion for science of the late Samy Maroun. It is now supported by private funding from individuals as well as other international foundations such as the Foundational Quastions Institute (FQXi). We promote and facilitate basic research in Quantum Gravity, focusing on the fundamentals, by supporting particular students and post-doctoral researchers working in the field, as well as by the organization of colloquia and scientific visits and exchanges.
The Center was founded thanks to the generosity, the vision and the passion for science of the late Samy Maroun. It is now supported by private funding from individuals as well as other international foundations such as the Foundational Quastions Institute (FQXi). We promote and facilitate basic research in Quantum Gravity, focusing on the fundamentals, by supporting particular students and post-doctoral researchers working in the field, as well as by the organization of colloquia and scientific visits and exchanges.
Some of our favourite physics topics!
BLACK HOLES The relation of thermodynamics and geometry goes deep. Loop Quantum Gravity offers a description of the microscopic degrees of freedom for the quantum gravitational field, that explains the Bekenstein-Hawking formula in terms of spin-networks piercing the horizon. Credit for the figure goes to our friends, authors of this article. |
SPINFOAMSSpinfoams are dynamical quantum 4D combinatorial structures, from which emerges the usual spacetime picture. Much of the center activites support research that allow to bridge the abstract description of nature given by the spinfoams research program with everyday reality as we experience it.
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Loop QUANTUM GRAVITY Intuition is a central resource for constructing models of reality. This simple 3D structure made from keyrings captures the main idea behind Loop Quantum Gravity: describe interrelations between spacetime quanta using loops, the analogue for gravity to Faraday's magnetic field lines.
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