Prof.
Claus Kiefer
(Univ. Koln, Germany)
8/28/07, 11:45 AM
Canonical quantization is among the main approaches to quantum gravity.
Its main conceptual problems are reviewed in my talk.
Most of them are centred around the problem of time: a time parameter
is absent in the fundamental equations. I discuss the meaning of
time in full quantum gravity and the recovery of semiclassical time
as an approximation. This also includes the Hilbert-space...
Dr
Edward Anderson
(Univ. of Cambridge, UK)
8/28/07, 2:30 PM
The problem of time is a major conceptual stumbling block in attempting to
quantize gravity. For, time is conceptually different in general relativity
and in conventional quantum theory, which are the two structures that one
would seek to combine in forming a theory of quantum gravity. I consider
the timeless records approach to this in this seminar. Records are
localized,...
Dr
Martin Tajmar
(Austrian Research Centers)
8/28/07, 3:30 PM
The search for frame dragging around massive rotating objects such as the
Earth is an important test for general relativity and is actively pursued
with the LAGEOS and Gravity Probe-B satellites. Within the classical
framework, frame dragging is independent of the state (normal or coherent)
of the test mass. This was recently challenged by proposing that a large
frame-dragging field...
Prof.
Matej Pavsic
(Josef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana)
8/28/07, 4:15 PM
A generalization of the theory of relativity is considered in which
spacetime $M_4$ is replaced by the configuration space
${\cal C}$ associated with a given physical system. In particular,
for a system of point particles we assume that its dynamical
behavior is determined by the minimal length action in ${\cal C}$.
In other words, the system is considered as a point that traces
a...
Prof.
Jorge Pullin
(Louisiana State University)
8/29/07, 9:00 AM
There are gravitational limitations on how accurately one can measure
space and time. As a consequence of these limitations, when one formulates quantum
mechanics and quantum field theory in terms of real measuring rods and clocks the
resulting theory is not unitary. This has implications for the black hole information
puzzle and may in a not too distant future lead to testable experiments.
