| Univ. Bremen Prof. C. Lämmerzahl | Experimental Gravitation (S2, compulsory, 6 ECTS) |
| Learning Outcomes: | Participants understand the basic principles underlying Special Relativity and General Relativity and the theoretical predictions and the experimental schemes underlying the corresponding tests. |
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| Applying Knowledge and Understanding: | |
| Prerequisites | Basic courses in Physics on mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, Astrophysics |
| Program | At the beginning a short repetition of Special and General Relativity is given. Then fundamental experiments of Special Relativity (Michelson-Morley, Kennedy-Thorndyke, Ives-Stilwell) but also more advance experiments like the Hughes-Drever experiment. For the formal discussion of these experiments test-theories like the Robertson-Mansouri-Sexl test theory, or the Standard Model Extension will be introduced. Next, experiments testing the Weak Equivalence Principle and the Universality of the Gravitational Redshift will be discussed. In order to confront General Relativity in terms of its predictions with experiments a parametrized post-Newtonian approximation is introduced. Within this formalism the standard tests of General Relativity, the light deflection, the gravitational redshift, the gravitational time delay, the Perihelion shift, the Lense-Thirring effects and the Schiff effect are discussed. An outlook to future test is given which includes the gravitomagnetic clock effect or tests of the Weak Equivalence Principle with quantum matter. Also gravitational wave interferometers will be treated. |
| Description of how the course is conducted | |
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| Description of the evaluation methods | |
| Adopted Textbooks | A list of references will be provided at the start of the semester. |
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