Project description
Innovative approach to the tackling the quantum gravity conundrum
Although quantum field theory, in the Standard Model of particle physics, has been widely considered to be incompatible with the most successful theory of gravity, Einstein's general relativity, experiments now show that the two theories can work together. Currently, however, there is no universally accepted theory that describes gravity according to the physics of quantum mechanics (quantum gravity). The main goal of the EU-funded HiSS project is to approach quantum gravity from a completely new direction – by providing the first working example of Higher Spin Gravity (HiSGRA). HiSS will construct new consistent models of quantum gravity along the higher spin gravity lines, and explore and prove dualities in the condensed matter systems, which can be explained by higher spin symmetry and deduced from HiSGRA.
Objective
A serious open issue is that there is no widely accepted solution to the Quantum Gravity Problem. This results in paradoxes and clouds the study of many problems from the cosmology of the early Universe to unified theories of fundamental interactions that should incorporate both the Standard Model of Elementary Particles and Gravity. This proposal aims at attacking the old problems from a new vantage point and to achieve long-awaited breakthroughs.
The potential reward is enormous as the project aims to shed light on the wide range of problems by exploring a new avenue provided by the first working example of a Higher Spin Gravity (HiSGRA). It will (A) attack the Quantum Gravity Problem and give new consistent theories that should significantly extend our understanding; (B) the underlying higher spin symmetry should govern a number of condensed matter systems and we expect to prove the recently discovered remarkable dualities relating them; (C) these symmetries are also related to extensions of Deformation Quantization, which should lead to new developments in pure mathematics and consolidate A+B. HiSGRA's, as rather simple models, can give keys to the puzzles of the early Universe with potentially observable effects in the near future, to the old paradoxes of black hole physics and to real-world processes of black hole scattering, which together with B applies HiSGRA to physics.
This project is timely and feasible thanks to the recent ground-breaking results obtained by me and collaborators: (1) the very first example of a quantum consistent HiSGRA has been constructed and shown not to suffer from the UV-divergences that are at the core of the Quantum Gravity Problem; (2) the same theory was instrumental in attacking the dualities in three-dimensional conformal field theories that govern the physics of many second-order phase transitions; (3) it made new verifiable predictions for correlation functions, which is the very first solid prediction from HiSGRA
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2020-COG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
7000 Mons
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.