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VERSION:2.0
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
PRODID:UW-Madison-Physics-Events
BEGIN:VEVENT
SEQUENCE:5
UID:UW-Physics-Event-9231
DTSTART:20260320T203000Z
DTEND:20260320T213000Z
DTSTAMP:20260413T084045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T172658Z
LOCATION:Chamberlin 2241
SUMMARY:Gravity\, Geometry and the Quantum\, Physics Department Colloq
 uium\, Abhay Ashtekar\, Penn State
DESCRIPTION:The problem of unification of general relativity with quan
 tum physics was first recognized by Einstein as a key open issue over 
 a century ago. While there have been significant advances\, we still d
 o not have a definitive theory. I will begin by summarizing my perspec
 tives on why the problem is still open\, why we have several distinct 
 approaches\, and what the current status of leading programs is. I wil
 l then discuss how big bang is naturally tamed by quantum geometry eff
 ects in the very early universe\, and how this singularity resolution 
 creates a 2-way bridge between theory and observations. This fascinati
 ng and surprising interplay between gravity\, geometry and the quantum
  will be presented at a general level\, suitable for non-experts.
URL:https://www.physics.wisc.edu/events/?id=9231
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