Research Supervisor Connect
Associate Professor Archil Kobakhidze.
The developments in the quantum description of relativistic systems culminated in the establishment of the Standard Model, the theory that provides the most accurate explanation of natural phenomena in terms of elementary particles and fundamental strong, weak, and electromagnetic forces. The critical missing element of this picture is the full and empirically verified quantum description of the relativistic theory of gravitation (Einstein’s General Relativity). From the observational point of view, the major obstacle lies in the fact that any detectable gravitational effect manifests through local interactions of macroscopic objects for which quantum effects are notoriously difficult to detect. On the other hand, for microscopic systems where quantum effects are prominent, the gravitational interactions are miniscule and are undetectable with current and feasible future technologies. The lack of quantum theory of gravitation is often referred to as an unfinished revolution in physics.
In a series of works over the past few years [1-4], we have recognised a novel and robust way to infer quantum gravity effects in particle physics systems. The key observation is related to the fact that the properties of relativistic systems are not only defined through local interactions but depend on the global (topological) features of the lowest energy state – the vacuum state. This in turn can be influenced by topological solutions in gravity known as gravitational instantons. The gravitational instantons and the complex vacuum structure associated with them, necessitate the introduction of new interactions in the Standard Model that violate charge (C) and parity (P) combined CP-symmetry. This has a range of interesting implications for the early universe cosmology, particularly the dynamical generation of visible matter. The CP violation due to the gravitational instantons were also shown to compromise the standard axion solution to the longstanding strong CP problem. Current project offers to explore and significantly expand the research in this direction both at theoretical and phenomenological levels.
Selected publications:
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 3703