Universität Wien

260024 VU Quantum gravity (2020S)

5.00 ECTS (3.00 SWS), SPL 26 - Physik
Continuous assessment of course work

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 15 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Each session will consist of a combined lecture and exercise time, totaling to 135 minutes of instruction with varying breaks.

We are aware that there is some overlap with the VU 260062 VU Teilchenphysik: Standard-Modell und Phänomenologie and will try to resolve this issue so that it is possible for students to attend both courses.

  • Monday 09.03. 09:00 - 12:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Monday 16.03. 09:00 - 12:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Monday 23.03. 09:00 - 12:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Monday 30.03. 09:00 - 12:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Monday 20.04. 09:00 - 12:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Monday 27.04. 09:00 - 12:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Monday 04.05. 09:00 - 12:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Monday 11.05. 09:00 - 12:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Monday 18.05. 09:00 - 12:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Monday 25.05. 09:00 - 12:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Monday 08.06. 09:00 - 12:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Monday 15.06. 09:00 - 12:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Monday 22.06. 09:00 - 12:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Different approaches to Quantum Gravity will be presented in one or two lectures each and the material will be reinforced through exercise classes.
The lecture is planned to introduce the naive approach to quantizing general relativity, Regge calculus, string theory, loop quantum gravity, spinfoam models, dynamical triangulations, Matrix models, asymptotic safety, higher spin theories and causal set theory.
Possible additional materials are the philosophy behind quantum gravity, and possible experimental test of quantum gravity.

Since the subjects covered are currently active areas of research the content of the lectures should be understood as the best current understanding and not as a definite opinion on the subjects covered.

This lectures is meant to introduce students to the field of quantum gravity.
They will see why the naive attempt to quantize general relativity fails and be introduced to a wide range of alternative attempts that are being investigated.

The lecture will be supplemented through interactive quizzes and exercises for the students as suitable.
Instruction will be held in English.

Assessment and permitted materials

---Updated rules ---
The final grade will consist of three contributions
- short online multiple choice exams about each lecture (33%)
- two longer exercise sheets, to be handed in (33% each)
since this change happens after the first sheet was handed in I will provide a written bonus exam at the end. This will replace the worst of the three above grades, again at 33%.

--- Original rules below---
The final grade will consist of three contributions
- short online multiple choice exams about each lecture (~20%)
- two longer exercise sheets, to be handed in, the better one counts (~30%)
- an oral exam at the end of term (~50%)

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Grading will happen according to a 100% scale, with 50% required to pass, 62,5% for a 3, 75% for a 2 and 87.5% for a 1.

Aim of the lectures is for the students to obtain an overview over the current research landscape in the field of Quantum Gravity.
The exam will test for their understanding of the theories covered and the relations between them.

Students are expected to have some knowledge of general relativity and quantum field theory. These will be covered as a quick review at the beginning of the lectures but it is advisable for the students to either have heard lectures about them before, or to read suitable materials about them in preparation.

Examination topics

All materials covered in the lecture will be relevant for the exam, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Lecture notes will be provided, but it is advisable to take notes during class.

Reading list

This literature list is to be understood not as expected reading, but as an offering of possible reading.

As a basic introduction for general relativity I would recommend:
Spacetime and Geometry: An Introduction to General Relativity by Sean Carroll
For Quantum Field theory I recommend:
An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory by Peskin and Schröder
If you want to refresh your knowledge through video I recommend taking a look through the perimeter institute recorded seminar archive http://pirsa.org/ and choose the courses option.

The lecture will be based on review articles on current research. Additional material may be added but a starting point would be:
The living reviews in relativity articles, especially the ones about:
Spin Foams https://link.springer.com/article/10.12942/lrr-2013-3
Loop Quantum Gravity https://link.springer.com/article/10.12942/lrr-2008-5
Discrete approaches to Quantum Gravity in 4d https://link.springer.com/article/10.12942/lrr-1998-13
The causal set approach to Quantum Gravity https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41114-019-0023-1

Other reviews of interest are:
A very current review on Causal Dynamical Triangulations https://arxiv.org/abs/1905.08669
A review on experimental search for quantum Gravity https://arxiv.org/abs/1010.3420
And because I can not resist dropping a link to my own work, if you want to read about computer simulations of quantum gravity try https://arxiv.org/abs/1811.12264

Association in the course directory

M-VAF A 2, M-VAF B, MaInt

Last modified: Th 17.11.2022 00:25