Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics

The Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute) (AEI ) is a research institute of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science (MPG). The theoretical branch of the Institute is located in Potsdam, the experimental branch in Hanover.

The Institute conducts basic research in mathematics and theoretical physics as well as applied research in the fields of laser physics, vacuum technology, vibration isolation, and to classical and quantum optics. The Institute is the principal partner in GEO600, a laser-interferometric gravitational wave detector, which has included the measurement operation in Ruthe near Hannover and in LISA, a laser interferometer in space, which in 2018 by ESA and NASA starts.

History

The newly founded Institute began its work in April 1995, and since 1999 it has its location in the Science Park Golm in Potsdam.

In 2001, the Institute took over a previously to the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ ) associated office in Hanover, which is part of the Institute of the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics since 2002. This part works with the Institute for Gravitational Physics Institute (formerly Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics ) the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover in the "Center for Gravitational Physics " together.

Work areas

The research focus of the institute is in the field of general relativity. Be explored in particular the emergence and spread of gravitational waves and the development of a theory of quantum gravity.

• The department " Geometric Analysis and Gravitation" in Potsdam under the direction of Gerhard Huisken developed new mathematical methods for the theoretical foundations of general relativity and develops predictions from the models used there.

• The department " quantum gravity and unified theories " in Potsdam dedicated under the direction of Hermann Nicolai of the development of a theory, quantum theory and general relativity together.

• The department " Astrophysical Relativity " in Potsdam, which is headed by Bernard F. Schutz, deals with the study of gravitational waves, black holes and the numerical solution of the Einstein equations.

• The focus of the work of the department, headed by Karsten Danzmann, " Laser Interferometry and Gravitational Wave Astronomy " in Hannover is the development of gravitational wave detectors both on Earth and in space by satellite (see also: GEO600, LISA ).

• The department " Observational Relativity and Cosmology " in Hannover under the direction of Bruce Allen is engaged in the development and implementation of algorithms for data analysis of various sources of gravitational waves (see also: Einstein @ Home).

Young Researchers - International Max Planck Research Schools

The training of graduate students is structured in two International Max Planck Research Schools ( IMPRS ):

• The IMPRS for Geometric Analysis, Gravitation and String Theory is a graduate program of the Albert Einstein Institute in cooperation with the Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin and the University of Potsdam in the fields of quantum gravity and mathematical physics.

• The IMPRS on Gravitational Wave Astronomy forms doctoral students in all areas of gravitational wave astronomy - from classical and non-classical interferometry on Earth and in space to data analysis and modeling of gravitational wave sources. This doctoral program is a collaboration of the Albert Einstein Institute and the University of Hannover and the Hannover Laser Centre.