This event has ended successfully.

The workshop was very fruitful for all participants, who learned a lot from Prof. Kawai and had a very lively exchange of ideas. Thank you all very much! We look forward to seeing you again at the next event.
(Here is a photo of the days.)

Spring Workshop on Quantum Gravity

2023 April 26, 27, 28 @ RIKEN, Wako, Japan

This is co-hosted by iTHEMS and NCTS, and is also the first of Quantum Gravity Gatherings.

What is space-time? How did the universe begin? Various approaches exist toward theories of quantum gravity that can answer such fundamental questions. Each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses and should capture, at least partially, some essential aspect of quantum gravity. Then, what are the general properties (if any) of the quantum nature of gravity independent of the details of such approaches? As the main speaker, we have asked Hikaru Kawai to give an intensive talk approaching this question from both general and specific arguments in a style consistent with the concept of Quantum Gravity Gatherings. We hope that the younger generation will experience his powerful arguments based on his experience and deep insights.

This workshop is intended to be a lively and participatory event, not just a listening experience. For this reason, the number of participants will be limited to about 30 with priority given to graduate students and young post-docs; the intensive talk will be given in a face-to-face blackboard style (in English, no online streaming) to allow for informal and lively Q&A discussions. In addition, there will be sessions where any participant can give a short talk on any topic of his/her choice. Through these, all the participants will discuss the above question from various angles, and the young generations in Japan and Taiwan will stimulate each other and start new exchanges.

Registration

-The Registration Form will open at 21:00 on Thursday, March 30. (You can check the form in advance from here.)
-The main targets are graduate students and young researchers who are interested in quantum gravity. The number of participants will be limited to about 30 on a first-come, first-served basis. Results will be announced as soon as they are determined.
- Everyone can give a short talk on any topic of their choice (self-introduction, research, review of some works, what they want to research in the future, etc.). We encourage you to do it, as this will make you more active and will contribute to creating new communication.
-We can partially support their accommodation. Note that a short talk is mandatory for those receiving support.

Intensive Talk

Hikaru Kawai (National Taiwan University)
Title: Fundamental Issues in Quantum Gravity, String Theory, and the Quantum Universe

Abstract: The fundamental issues of quantum gravity and the quantum universe will be discussed. Specifically, we plan to proceed as follows.

1. Quantum gravity as a local field theory and its difficulties
Problems related to the quantization of gravity, such as canonical formalism, renormalization and positive definiteness, Euclidianization, etc. will be discussed.

2. String theory and its problems
Reasons why string theory represents quantum gravity, the indispensability of non- perturbative formulations, the matrix model as a candidate for string theory, and its difficulties will be discussed.

3. Quantum universe
Problems of quantum theory of the universe, the necessity and possibility of multiverse, its relation to the naturalness problem, etc. will be discussed.

4. Black holes
Problems of quantum theory of black holes will be discussed.

Program

April 26
10:00~12:00 Talk1
12:00~13:30 Lunch
13:30~15:00 Talk2
15:00~16:00 Coffee break
16:00~17:00 Talk3
17:10~ Short talk session1

April 27
10:00~12:00 Talk4
12:00~13:30 Lunch
13:30~15:00 Talk5
15:00~16:00 Coffee break
16:00~17:00 Talk6
17:10~ Short talk session2

April 28
10:00~12:00 Talk7
12:00~13:30 Lunch
13:30~15:00 Talk8
15:00~16:00 Coffee break
16:00~17:00 Talk9
17:10~ Short talk session3
Short talk program

Place

435-437 Seminar Room, 4F of Main Research Building, RIKEN Wako Campus

Organizers

*Yuki Yokokura (iTHEMS) -Contact- yuki.yokokura@riken.jp
*Pei-Ming Ho (National Taiwan University/NCTS)
*Toshifumi Noumi (The University of Tokyo)
Yuta Hamada (KEK)
Puttarak Jai-akson (iTHEMS)
Christy Kelly (iTHEMS)
Ryo Namba (iTHEMS)
Naritaka Oshita (Kyoto Hakubi/iTHEMS)
Sotaro Sugishita (YITP)
*:Main Organizer

Sponsors