1st Edition

Gravitation From the Hubble Length to the Planck Length

Edited By I. Ciufolini, E. Coccia, V. Gorini, N. Vittorio, R. Peron Copyright 2004

    Although gravity is the dominant force of nature at large distances (from intermediate scales to the Hubble length), it is the weakest of forces in particle physics, though it is believed to become important again at very short scales (the Planck length). The conditions created in particle accelerators are similar to those at the time of the early universe. While particle physics offers insight to early universe physics, there is a need to understand gravity at extremes of large and short distances to further understand cosmology and the development of the universe. Gravitation: From the Hubble Length to the Planck Length fulfills this need by providing an overview of relativistic astrophysics, early universe physics, cosmology, and their interface with particle physics.

    Written by international experts, this reference presents up-to-date information on classical relativity, astrophysics, and theoretical and experimental particle physics. The introduction sets the scene and provides a context for the remaining chapters. Chapters cover an extensive array of topics, from refined experimental techniques in gravitational physics to cosmology and the quantum frontier. The book concludes with a discussion of the connection among particles, fields, strings, and branes.

    This compilation shows how gravity plays a fundamental role in astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology by exploring domains from the microscopic, such as black holes, to superclusters of galaxies that form the large-scale texture of the present-day cosmos. Moreover, with its theoretical and experimental focus on the foundations of gravity, Gravitation proves to be an invaluable resource for current and future research.

    PREFACE
    INTRODUCTION
    Gravitation in the Solar System and Beyond
    Cosmological Issues
    The Other Side: Gravitation in the Quantum Regime
    Gravitation as a Universal Phenomenon
    PROBING SPACETIME IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
    Introduction
    Distance
    Angle
    Frequency
    FRAME-DRAGGING AND ITS MEASUREMENT
    Some Historical Background on the Measurement of Gravitomagnetism and the Gravitational Field inside a Rotating Shell
    Frame Dragging, the Weak-Field and Slow-Motion Analogy: An Invariant Characterization of Gravitomagnetism
    Gravitomagnetic Phenomena on Test Gyroscopes, Test Particles, Clocks, and Photons
    Time-Delay Due to Spin of a Central Body and inside a Rotating Shell
    Measurement of Gravitomagnetism with Laser-Ranged Satellites
    THE SPECIAL RELATIVISTIC EQUIVALENCE PRINCIPLE: GRAVITY THEORY'S FOUNDATION
    Introduction
    Gravitomagnetic Precession Due to Moving Gravity Source
    Geodetic Precession Due to Motion through Gravity
    General Consideration of the Observables
    Requirements for Equivalent Predictions in Gravity
    Periastron Precession
    Summary
    LUNAR LASER RANGING - A COMPREHENSIVE PROBE OF POST-NEWTONIAN GRAVITY
    Introduction
    Dynamical Equations for Bodies, Light, and Clocks
    LLR's Key Science-Related Range Signals
    An Additional Yukawa Interaction?
    Gravitomagnetism
    Inductive Inertial Forces
    THE EARLY UNIVERSE AND THE COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND
    Introduction
    The Standard Cosmological Model
    The Cosmic Microwave Background
    Past, Present and Future of CMB Observation
    Conclusions
    STRINGS, GRAVITY, AND PARTICLE PHYSICS
    Introduction
    From Particles to Fields
    From Fields to Strings
    From Strings to Branes
    Some Applications
    INDEX

    Biography

    I. Ciufolini, E. Coccia, V. Gorini, N. Vittorio. R. Person

    "…the volume is an interesting collection of articles. The most valuable chapters are those containing the extensive discussions of the experimental tests of relativity. They capture the excitement and recent progress very well."
    -Professor R. Ellis, Contemporary Physics