Gravitational Theory
ABOUT OUR RESEARCH
Our research is focused on general relativity and its applications in astrophysics and geodesy as well as relations to quantum physics. This includes astrophysical extreme mass ratio systems and accretion disks around black holes as well as investigations of relativistic effects on the motion of satellites. The relativistic effects in rates of clocks on Earth and in space are crucial e.g. for height determination in geodesy. Moreover, we study fundamental problems in electrodynamics and in alternative theories of gravity.
Our fields of research
- Dynamics of light, particles (stars), and fluids in relativistic spacetimes using mostly analytical techniques
- Applications in relativistic astrophysics: extreme mass ratio systems, pulsar timing, accretion disks, gravitational lensing
- Tests of gravity: investigation of relativistic effects on satellites orbiting the Earth as well as Earth- or space-based clocks
- Relativistic geodesy: basic notions in General Relativity (GR), new concepts using the additional gravity degrees of freedom in GR; related topics are synchronisation and geodetic reference frames
- Alternative/modified theories of gravity and electrodynamics
CONTACT
The QuantumFrontiers program explores light and matter at the quantum frontier, advancing quantum and nanometrology to enhance measurement precision. These innovations enable groundbreaking technologies, from probing gravitational waves to understanding quantum-scale phenomena, deepening our knowledge of nature at both cosmic and microscopic scales.
The long term vision of TerraQ is to create a new geodesy based on quantum physics and general relativity, enabling unique prospects for satellite geodesy, gravimetric Earth observation and reference systems.
This research unit develops methods to enhance geodetic reference systems by linking all space geodetic techniques to a common time system. Accurate, stable global reference frames are essential for positioning, navigation, and understanding long-term geodynamic and climate processes, including plate tectonics and sea-level change.
This COST Action Network brings together theorists and experimentalists to explore the regime where gravity meets quantum physics. From astrophysical observations to precision table-top experiments, the aim is to understand Planck-scale effects and study gravity's influence on quantum systems, bridging expertise in quantum-gravity, -optics, -mechanics, and high-energy astrophysics.
DFG Project 'Momentum dependent spacetime geometries: Traces of quantum gravity and fields in media'
This project establishes a rigorous mathematical framework for effective quantum spacetime geometries using Finsler and Hamilton geometry. It seeks to derive observable predictions (e.g., particle trajectories, time delays, light deflections), study classical and quantum field propagation on quantum spacetime, and develops the dynamics that determine the quantum spacetime geometry.
Accretion disks around black holes and neutron stars, shaped by electromagnetic fields, provide insights into strong-gravity regimes. This project explores charged fluid disks, focusing on their self-interactions through analytic models and GRMHD simulations, aiming to unravel complex phenomena in disk structure, physics, and evolution near compact objects.
The list below shows the latest 25 publications of this research group. For the complete, searchable list of ZARM publications, please click more
2023
The Finsler Spacetime Condition for (α, β)-Metrics and Their Isometries
Universe, 9 (4) :198
2023
Axisymmetric oscillation modes of relativistic tori in the vicinity of a distorted, deformed compact object
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
2023
Gravitational lensing in theories with Lorentz Invariance Violation
2023
Publisher: Springer
Equivalence of Active and Passive Gravitational Mass Tested with Lunar Laser Ranging
Physical Review Letters, 131 (2) :021401
2023
Kerr geodesics in terms of Weierstrass elliptic functions
Physical Review D, 108 (2) :024056
2023
Spontaneous scalarization of black holes in Gauss-Bonnet teleparallel gravity
Phys. Rev. D, 107 (10) :104013
2023
Publisher: APS
Four-dimensional SO(3)-spherically symmetric Berwald Finsler spaces
Int. J. Geom. Meth. Mod. Phys., 20 (11) :2350190
2023
Distinctive features of hairy black holes in teleparallel Gauss-Bonnet gravity
Phys. Rev. D, 108 (6) :064044
2023
A Cosmological unicorn solution to Finsler gravity
Phys. Rev. D, 108 (6) :064051
2023
Birkhoff theorem for Berwald-Finsler spacetimes
Phys. Rev. D, 108 (10) :104060
2023
Muon accelerators—muon lifetime measurements as window to Planck scale physics
Class. Quantum Grav., 41 (1) :015008
2023
Modified and Quantum Gravity: From Theory to Experimental Searches on All Scales
In Christian Pfeifer and Claus Lämmerzahl, Editor, Volume 1017 from Lecture Notes in Physics
Publisher: Springer
2023
Modified particle lifetimes as a signature of deformed relativity
Physics Letters B, 848 :138380
2023
2022
Morse-theoretical analysis of lensing in wormhole spacetimes
Phys. Rev. D, 105 :024027
2022
Calculating black hole shadows: Review of analytical studies
Physics Reports, 947 :1
2022
Photon sphere and shadow of a time-dependent black hole described by a Vaidya metric
Phys. Rev. D, 105 :064056
2022
Gravitational lensing in the charged NUT–de Sitter spacetime
Phys. Rev. D, 105 :064064
2022
Circular Geodesics in a New Generalization of q-Metric
Universe Mathematical Physics, 8 (3) :195
2022
Dynamics of charged particles and quasi-periodic oscillations in the vicinity of a distorted, deformed compact object embedded in a uniform magnetic field
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 882
2022
Magnetized relativistic accretion disk around a spinning, electrically charged, accelerating black hole: Case of the C-metric
Physical Review D, 105 (10) :103017
2022
Light propagation in a plasma on an axially symmetric and stationary spacetime: Separability of the Hamilton–Jacobi equation and shadow
J. Math. Phys., 63 :092501
2022
Propagation time delay and frame dragging effects of lightlike geodesics in the timing of a pulsar orbiting SgrA*
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 516 :1768
2022
Thick accretion disk configurations in the Born-Infeld teleparallel gravity
Physical Review D, 106 :084046
2022
Relativistic equilibrium fluid configurations around rotating deformed compact objects
European Physical Journal C, 82 (1149)
2022
Deformed relativistic kinematics on curved spacetime: a geometric approach
Eur. Phys. J. C, 82 (2) :150
2022