Ulm 2004 – scientific programme

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PV: Plenarvorträge

PV II

PV II: Plenary Talk

Monday, March 15, 2004, 09:00–10:00, H22

Geometry, Gravity and the Quantum: Building on Einstein’s Legacy — •Abhay Ashtekar — Center for Gravitational Physics and Geometry, 104 Davey Lab, Penn State, University Park, PA 16802-6300

Through his general relativity, Einstein taught us that the gravitational field is encoded in the very geometry of space-time. Therefore, any theory of quantum gravity should also be a theory of quantum geometry. We are thus led to ask: What are the “atoms of geometry”? Are they on the same footing as the atoms of matter and quanta of radiation? What are their physical implications? To address these issues, a background independent, non-perturbative quantum theory of geometry was developed systematically in the mid-nineties. I will first describe its salient features and then, to illustrate its applications, use it to address some fundamental issues concerning the big-bang and black holes. The talk will be addressed to non-specialists.