Unraveling the Mysteries of Gravitons and Quantum Gravity

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Exploring the intricacies of gravity and electromagnetic forces, this chapter delves into the observation of gravitational waves and the quadrupole phenomenon. It discusses the challenges of detecting gravitons, their existence at different energy scales, and the uncertainties at high energy levels in quantum gravity. The chapter also explores the implications of spin in particle interactions, highlighting the complexities of proposing new theories in the context of quantum field theory and general relativity.

Einstein's theory of general relativity has been our best understanding of gravity for over a century, withstanding a variety of experimental challenges of ever-increasing precision. But we have to be open to the possibility that general relativity -- even at the classical level, aside from any questions of quantum gravity -- isn't the right theory of gravity. Such speculation is motivated by cosmology, where we have a good model of the universe but one with a number of loose ends. Claudia de Rham has been a leader in exploring how gravity could be modified in cosmologically interesting ways, and we discuss the current state of the art as well as future prospects.

Blog post with transcript: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2024/04/01/271-claudia-de-rham-on-modifying-general-relativity/

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Claudia de Rham received her Ph.D. in physics from the University of Cambridge. She is currently a professor of physics and deputy department head at Imperial College, London. She is a Simons Foundation Investigator, winner of the Blavatnik Award, and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Her new book is The Beauty of Falling: A Life in Pursuit of Gravity.

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