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
2025
Pulse shape optimization against Doppler shifts and delays in optical quantum communication
EPJ Quant. Technol., 12 (1) :24
2025
Scalar angular Teukolsky equation and its solution for the Taub-NUT spacetime
Phys. Rev. D, 112 (12) :124079
2025
Equilibrium models of Weyssenhoff spin fluid accretion tori around Kerr black holes
Phys. Rev. D, 112 (8) :083037
2025
Hermann Weyl Raum-Zeit-Materie
from Klassische Texte der Wissenschaft
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Berlin
2025
Proposal for an experiment to verify Wigner's rotation at non-relativistic speeds with massive spin-1/2 particles
Phys. Lett. A, 544 :130490
2025
White paper and roadmap for quantum gravity phenomenology in the multi-messenger era
Class. Quant. Grav., 42 (3) :032001
2025
Strong deflection of massive particles in spherically symmetric spacetimes
Phys. Rev. D, 111 (4) :044018
February 2025
2024
Stability of rotating, charged fluids: Generalization of the Høiland conditions in Newtonian nonconductive case
Physical Review D, 109 :043047
2024
Equilibrium of charged fluid around a Kerr black hole immersed in a magnetic field: Variation of angular momentum
International Journal of Modern Physics D, 33
2024
Exact wave-optical imaging of a Kerr–de Sitter black hole using Heun’s equation
Physical Review D
2024
Potentials for general-relativistic geodesy
Physical Review D, 109 :044028
2024
Thomas-Wigner rotation as a holonomy for spin-1/2 particles
Physical Review A, 109 (3) :032206
2024
Spherically symmetric vacuum solutions in one-parameter new general relativity and their phenomenology
Physical Review D, 109 (6) :064027
2024
Deflection of light rays in a moving medium around a spherically symmetric gravitating object
Physical Review D, 109 (12) :124024
2024
Strong deflection limit analysis of black hole lensing in inhomogeneous plasma
Physical Review D, 110 :064031
2024
Constraining spherically symmetric metrics by the gap between photon rings
Physical Review D, 109 :124057
2024
Light propagation in a plasma on Kerr spacetime. II. Plasma imprint on photon orbits
Physical Review D, 109 :064063
2024
Weak equivalence principle and nonrelativistic limit of general dispersion relations
Physical Review D, 110 :104030
2024
Gravitational Metrological Triangle
Physical Review Letters, 133 :241402
2024
Mass and spin measurements of black hole and neutron stars X-ray binaries through axisymmetric oscillation modes of thick torus
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 535 :612
2024
Non-linear media in weakly curved spacetime: optical solitons and probe pulses for gravimetry
New J. Phys., 26 (8) :083010
2024
Spin resonance spectroscopy with an electron microscope
Quantum Sci. Technol., 9 (3) :035051
2024
2023
Gravitational lensing in Brill spacetimes
Phys. Rev. D, 107 :024048
2023
On the metrizability of m-Kropina spaces with closed null 1-form
J. Math. Phys., 64 (2) :022502
2023
Perturbations in Non-Flat Cosmology for f(T) gravity
Eur. Phys. J. C, 83 (3) :193
2023