Gravity! The Final Quantum Frontier!
πππΌππππβ¦β¦ πππ ππππΌπ πππΌππππ ππππππππ!
When we look at the fundamental forces that act upon our universe, we draw a bit of a blank when it comes to gravity, particularly at the sub-atomic level. We know that electromagnetism and the weak and strong nuclear forces use the photon, W & Z bosons, and the gluon, respectively, within their interactions. Although we have now observed gravitational waves at the macroscopic (large) level, with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory (LIGO), greater knowledge of the sub-atomic interaction of the theorised graviton particle still eludes our scientists!
This is where it gets funβ¦β¦. A project currently being considered is the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), which they are hoping to deploy into space somewhen around 2035 (regularly moving right, so donβt add it to your calendar quite yet). With the increased distance between points, the removal of interferences that LIGO suffers from on Earth, and the fact that they intend to put the array into orbit around the Sun, it should yield more accurate data, free of noise and interference, with 360 degree coverage of the universe. The hope is that we can start using this type of large scale data to dig down into the quantum levels and assist in the search for the sub-atomic particle (the graviton) that gravity uses to interact with all other matter and forces in our universe.
LIGO (see picture), and eventually LISA, work by measuring gravitational disturbances. A beam is split along two arms, bounced back at the ends, and directed onto a photodetector. Einstein taught us that gravity warps space so if the arms are interfered with by a gravitational wave (two black holes colliding for example) the two beams will arrive at the detector at different times, and this will be recorded.
Currently it is believed that gravity is the weakest of the 4 fundamental forces at the sub-atomic level. I feel though that there is more to it than that, and a particular element of string theory has perked my interest in this area where it predicts that gravity could in fact flow through dimensions, acting as a binding agent for the very fabric of space time!
What are your thoughts? Could gravity have a more fundamental quantum (small scale) role in our universe than we currently understand?
When we look at the fundamental forces that act upon our universe, we draw a bit of a blank when it comes to gravity, particularly at the sub-atomic level. We know that electromagnetism and the weak and strong nuclear forces use the photon, W & Z bosons, and the gluon, respectively, within their interactions. Although we have now observed gravitational waves at the macroscopic (large) level, with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory (LIGO), greater knowledge of the sub-atomic interaction of the theorised graviton particle still eludes our scientists!
This is where it gets funβ¦β¦. A project currently being considered is the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), which they are hoping to deploy into space somewhen around 2035 (regularly moving right, so donβt add it to your calendar quite yet). With the increased distance between points, the removal of interferences that LIGO suffers from on Earth, and the fact that they intend to put the array into orbit around the Sun, it should yield more accurate data, free of noise and interference, with 360 degree coverage of the universe. The hope is that we can start using this type of large scale data to dig down into the quantum levels and assist in the search for the sub-atomic particle (the graviton) that gravity uses to interact with all other matter and forces in our universe.
LIGO (see picture), and eventually LISA, work by measuring gravitational disturbances. A beam is split along two arms, bounced back at the ends, and directed onto a photodetector. Einstein taught us that gravity warps space so if the arms are interfered with by a gravitational wave (two black holes colliding for example) the two beams will arrive at the detector at different times, and this will be recorded.
Currently it is believed that gravity is the weakest of the 4 fundamental forces at the sub-atomic level. I feel though that there is more to it than that, and a particular element of string theory has perked my interest in this area where it predicts that gravity could in fact flow through dimensions, acting as a binding agent for the very fabric of space time!
What are your thoughts? Could gravity have a more fundamental quantum (small scale) role in our universe than we currently understand?
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