Quantum Universe

All physical systems obey the laws of quantum mechanics, but we have not yet achieved a full understanding of the relationship between quantum mechanics, general relativity, and cosmology. The primordial universe and black holes are two arenas to study these questions in ways that are complementary to research on laboratory quantum systems and quantum information.



IGC members who study Quantum Universe


NameRoleAffiliationEmailPhoneOffice AddressAffiliated Center(s) Research Topics(s)
Eugenio Bianchi Faculty Physics exb34@psu.edu +1 814 865 7533 315 Whitmore Laboratory CFT Quantum Universe, Mathematical Structures, Black Holes, Loop Quantum Gravity
Šárka Blahnik Graduate Student Physics seb6087@psu.edu -- 321F Whitmore Laboratory CFT Quantum Universe
Martin Bojowald Faculty Physics mob6@psu.edu +1 814 865 3502 304A Whitmore Laboratory CFT Mathematical Structures, Loop Quantum Gravity, Quantum Universe
Tommy Chin Graduate Student Physics wjc5509@psu.edu 6692331822 301D Whitmore Laboratory IGC, CTOC, CFT Quantum Universe, Black Holes, Cosmic Surveys, Dynamic Universe
Aurora Colter Undergraduate Student Physics, Math agc5654@psu.edu - - NONE CFT, IGC Quantum Universe, Gravitational Waves, Black Holes, Loop Quantum Gravity, Physical Mathematics
Mauricio Gamonal Graduate Student Physics mfg5767@psu.edu -- 322 Whitmore Laboratory CFT Loop Quantum Gravity, Mathematical Structures, Quantum Universe
Rishabh Kumar Graduate Student Physics rishabh.kumar@psu.edu -- 321-A Whitmore Laboratory CFT Quantum Universe
Erick Muino Garcia Graduate Student Physics efm5414@psu.edu -- - NONE CFT Loop Quantum Gravity, Quantum Universe
Daniel Paraizo Graduate Student Physics dep5397@psu.edu -- 317 Whitmore Laboratory IGC, CFT Quantum Universe, Loop Quantum Gravity, Black Holes
Sean Prudhoe Graduate Student Physics stp5134@psu.edu -- 321 F Whitmore Laboratory CTOC Quantum Universe
Monica Rincon Ramirez Graduate Student Physics mxr463@psu.edu -- 321 Whitmore Laboratory CFT, CTOC Loop Quantum Gravity, Physical Mathematics, Black Holes, Quantum Universe
Sarah Shandera Faculty Physics ses47@psu.edu +1 814 863 9595 303A Whitmore Laboratory CFT Cosmic Surveys, Black Holes, Gravitational Waves, Quantum Universe, Dark Matter
Jonathan Shu Graduate Student Physics jds7269@psu.edu -- -- Osmond Laboratory CFT Black Holes, Mathematical Structures, Quantum Universe

IGC projects about Quantum Universe




About our wordmark
Monica The IGC wordmark was created by Monica Rincon Ramirez, while she was a graduate student at the Institute for Gravitation and the Cosmos (IGC). Monica enjoys drawing new connections between fundamental theory and observations. Her graduate work includes specialized topics in general relativity, loop quantum gravity, and quantum fields in cosmological backgrounds. In particular, her thesis work focused on finding effective quantum corrections to gravitational phenomena from spinfoams, and applications to cosmology. She received her PhD in 2024.

The wordmark symbolizes the scope and variety of research at the IGC. The base of the image represents quantum gravity, evoking the quantum geometrical picture from spinfoams and loop quantum gravity. These are among the approaches to fundamental questions studied at the Center for Fundamental Theory. The middle of the image represents the Center for Theoretical and Observational Cosmology by galaxies embedded in a smooth surface, characteristic of spacetime in general relativity and the much larger physical scales studied in cosmology. Finally, at the top, the surface curves to an extreme, representing a supermassive black hole accompanied by an energetic jet. These elements depict an active galactic nucleus, inspired by Centaurus A. Just to the right, a pair of black holes approaches merger. This top portion of the wordmark represents the Center for Multimessenger Astrophysics, which specializes in the study of high-energy phenomena in the universe.