The members of the Centre currently work on the following broad areas of research:
In the context of classical and quantum gravity, the group has been investigating the physics of black holes and possible quantum gravitational corrections to standard results in quantum field theory. In cosmology, members of the group have been working towards understanding the physics of the early universe and exploring alternatives to the standard paradigms. We have also been comparing models of the early universe with the cosmological data. In the context of gravitational waves, the group has gathered considerable expertise on gravitational waves emitted by coalescing compact binaries observed by gravitational wave detectors such as advanced LIGO. Moreover, members of the group have been developing efficient codes to arrive at constraints on parameters describing theories of gravitation and cosmology using the advanced LIGO data.
Utilizing the attractor mechanism to understand the entropy of black holes. Specifically, examining why the entropy of black holes depends only on the quantized charges and not on any of the continuous parameters.
Investigating the attractor mechanism for extremal black holes in string theory, understanding their multiplicity and stability, and their relation to the weak gravity conjecture, as well as the volume of minimal cycles in a given homology class.
Exploring hidden symmetries as well as solution-generating methods for Einstein’s equations, providing a deeper perspective on the structure of the space of solutions and their integrability properties.
Duality symmetries in string theory enable the construction of automorphic forms (modular forms, mock modular forms, Siegel modular forms) that generate the microscopic degeneracies of extremal black holes, leading to concrete formulae for the entropy of black holes.
This method has been successful for a class of black holes that arise in 𝑁=4 supersymmetry. Can we extend this method to black holes with lesser (or no) supersymmetry? The case of type II string theory compactified on Calabi-Yau threefolds has 𝑁=2 supersymmetry. A particular family of threefolds called Borcea-Voisin manifolds appears to be a good candidate for constructing such automorphic forms that capture the microscopic degeneracies of single-centered BPS black holes.
Multi-centered black holes can decay across walls of marginal stability. Can we construct Lie algebras that capture this phenomenon?
Developing new tools for quantum gravity based on geometric quantities of direct relevance from an observational point of view, and using these tools to explain how quantum spacetime may be reconstructed from more primitive non-local observables.
What is the quantum fate of spacetime singularities? Is the cosmological constant a non-local vestige of quantum spacetime?
Gaining a better understanding of spacetime singularities and examining if they provide insight into other open problems such as: (i) Information loss in black hole evaporation. (ii) The inflationary phase of the early universe.
Developing a coherent prescription for gravitational waveforms from compact binary mergers, including effects of eccentricity, sub-dominant modes, and component spins.
Carrying out parameter estimation analyses, focusing on measurements of spin-induced or matter-induced effects, which can allow us to understand the nature of exotic matter.
Examining effects beyond GR on gravitational waveforms and using observations to arrive at constraints on modified theories of gravitation.
Understanding the evolution history of the universe using 21 cm radio observations of neutral hydrogen.
Measuring astrophysical and cosmological parameters from cosmic dawn and epoch of reionization.
Developing simulation and analysis pipeline for the two next-generation radio telescopes HERA and SKA.
Quantifying the statistical properties of our galactic synchrotron emission using low-frequency radio observations.
Investigating the presence of features in the primordial spectra, computing associated non-Gaussianities, and identifying discriminating observable signatures.
Computing the non-Gaussian contributions to the formation of primordial black holes in single-field and multi-field models of inflation.
Developing efficient codes to calculate observables involving gravitational waves at small scales.
Examining the dynamics of gauge fields during inflation and reheating, and identifying observables that can probe their role.