Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
May 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008phdt.......427s&link_type=abstract
Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California, USA 2008 (Defended May 20, 2008), 182 p
Mathematics
Logic
Scientific paper
In this thesis we examine several ways in which we can explore the early universe through gravitationalwaves and the fundamental nature of gravity through cosmology and observations of dynamics within the solar system. Both of these topics have taken center stage, as we are living at a unique time which promises to bring fundamental insights into the nature of gravity with the discovery of new binary pulsar systems, the building of increasingly precise solar system and tabletop experiments and the birth of gravitational-wave observatories to name a few recent and upcoming advances. We rst discuss whether we may be able to directly detect gravitational waves from in ation using future space-based interferometers. We then describe how the direct detection of in ationary gravitational waves will allow us to probe the fundamental physics that operated at the earliest moments of the universe. Next, a new constraint to a general cosmological gravitational wave background is presented using the observations of the cosmic microwave background. Moving away from general relativity, we consider alternative theories of gravity. One reason to consider alternative theories of gravity is the observation that the expansion of the universe is currently accelerating. It is possible that this accelerated expansion is due to a modication of gravity. However, any theory that modies gravity in order to produce accelerated expansion must also conform to the dynamics that we observe within the Solar System. We discuss how the observation of the de ection of light around the Sun places severe limitations on a particular modied gravity theory, known as f(R) gravity. Our discussion of f(R) gravity leads us to ask whether the parameterized post Newtonian parameter, PPN, takes on a universal value. We identify measurements made of strong lensing around early type galaxies in the Sloan Lens ACS (SLACS) survey as a rst step in performing this new test of gravity. Finally, we explore some consequences of Chern-Simons gravity. One of the unique aspects of Chern-Simons gravity is that it introduces parity violation into the gravitational sector. As a consequence, it predicts a different gravitomagnetic eld around the rotating Earth than is predicted in general relativity. We show how recent measurements of this gravitomagnetic eld made by observing the two LAser GEOdynamics Satellites (LAGEOS) and Gravity Probe B satellites constrain Chern-Simons gravity. Finally, we discuss how future observations of binary pulsar systems may allow for a more general exploration of the gravitomagnetic structure around rotating objects.
No associations
LandOfFree
The Gravity of Situation does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The Gravity of Situation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Gravity of Situation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1077076