Research Seminar in Mathematics - Teleparallel gravity

Speaker

Daniel Blixt, Scuola Superiore Meridionale, Italy.

Abstract

Since Einstein formulated his theory of general relativity it has transitioned from a controversial theory to a widely accepted theory supported by observations. At early times it was confirmed by solar system tests, and recently we have made the first observations of gravitational waves and the first image of a black hole, both of them predicted by general relativity. A very famous interpretation of the equations governing general relativity reads ``Spacetime tells matter how to move; matter tells spacetime how to curve''.  Is this the only way to think about it? In this talk I will introduce teleparallel theories of gravity, where torsion plays the central role, and it turns out that general relativity can equivalently be formulated in this framework. In recent years there has been an increased interest in modified theories of gravity. We live in an interesting era of astronomy, where it is now much easier to compare predictions of general relativity and modified gravity. Furthermore, we are finding growing tensions in cosmology. Could this be related to an incomplete understanding of gravity? Could teleparallel gravity provide us with a better theory of gravity?

Welcome!