Phenomenological Quantum Gravity
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Phenomenological quantum gravity is the research field that deals with
phenomenology Phenomenology may refer to: Art * Phenomenology (architecture), based on the experience of building materials and their sensory properties Philosophy * Phenomenology (philosophy), a branch of philosophy which studies subjective experiences and a ...
of
quantum gravity Quantum gravity (QG) is a field of theoretical physics that seeks to describe gravity according to the principles of quantum mechanics; it deals with environments in which neither gravitational nor quantum effects can be ignored, such as in the vi ...
. The relevance of this research area derives from the fact that none of the candidate theories for quantum gravity has yielded experimentally testable predictions. Phenomenological models are designed to bridge this gap by allowing physicists to test for general properties that the hypothetical correct theory of quantum gravity has. Furthermore, due to this current lack of experiments, it is not known for sure that gravity is indeed quantum (i.e. that
general relativity General relativity, also known as the general theory of relativity and Einstein's theory of gravity, is the geometric theory of gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1915 and is the current description of gravitation in modern physics ...
can be quantized), and so evidence is required to determine whether this is the case. Phenomenological models are also necessary to assess the promise of future quantum gravity experiments. Direct experiments for quantum gravity (perhaps by detecting gravitons) would require reaching the Planck energy — on the order of 1028 eV, around 15 orders of magnitude higher than can be achieved with current
particle accelerators A particle accelerator is a machine that uses electromagnetic fields to propel charged particles to very high speeds and energies, and to contain them in well-defined beams. Large accelerators are used for fundamental research in particle ...
— as well as needing a detector the size of a large
planet A planet is a large, rounded astronomical body that is neither a star nor its remnant. The best available theory of planet formation is the nebular hypothesis, which posits that an interstellar cloud collapses out of a nebula to create a you ...
. As a result, experimental investigation of quantum gravity was long thought to be impossible with current levels of technology. However, in the early 21st century, new experiment designs and technologies have arisen which suggest that indirect approaches to testing quantum gravity may be feasible over the next few decades.


See also

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Phenomenology (physics) In physics, phenomenology is the application of theoretical physics to experimental data by making quantitative predictions based upon known theories. It is related to the philosophical notion of the same name in that these predictions descr ...
*
Modern searches for Lorentz violation Modern may refer to: History * Modern history ** Early Modern period ** Late Modern period *** 18th century *** 19th century *** 20th century ** Contemporary history * Moderns, a faction of Freemasonry that existed in the 18th century Philosoph ...
*
Quantum gravity Quantum gravity (QG) is a field of theoretical physics that seeks to describe gravity according to the principles of quantum mechanics; it deals with environments in which neither gravitational nor quantum effects can be ignored, such as in the vi ...


References

{{Quantum-stub Theoretical physics Quantum gravity