General Relativity and Cosmology

General relativity is a theory developed by Albert Einstein, which has been a cornerstone in understanding the universe's structure and history.

Despite being nearly a century old, scientists are still exploring what this theory fully means. One of the key predictions of general relativity is the existence of gravitational waves, which are like ripples in the fabric of space and time. Researchers are continuously refining what forms, or "waveforms," these gravitational waves might take, which is crucial for our detectors trying to capture them.

Einstein's theory also suggests the possibility of "singularities," points where the theory's laws don't apply. The most famous singularity is the Big Bang, which is thought to have begun our universe. However, there's a concept called a "naked singularity," a type of singularity that could influence other objects in the universe. This leads to the debate around "strong cosmic censorship," a conjecture that suggests Einstein's theory doesn't allow for such naked singularities. Scientists are actively looking for examples that might prove or disprove this idea.

So far, general relativity has stood up to all experimental tests, but many believe it's not the complete picture of gravity. There are several theories, like string theory and loop quantum gravity, that might offer a more complete understanding. Others, like the Randall-Sundrum model, suggest our universe is just a part of a larger space.

At VCU, our research involves finding exact solutions to Einstein's field equations. These solutions help verify computer codes predicting gravitational waves from space events. They also contribute to exploring the Strong Cosmic Censorship Conjecture. Our current projects include looking for broader interpretations of Einstein's theory, aiming to expand our understanding of the universe's fundamental principles.

General Relativity and Cosmology Faculty