Thesis

Astrophysical and Local Tests of the Einstein Equivalence Principle SUPERVISOR

• Call:

  PT-CERN call 2020/1

• Academic Year:

  2020/2021

• Domain:

  Astroparticle Physics

• Supervisor:

  Carlos Martins

• Co-Supervisor:

• Institution:

  Universidade do Porto

• Host Institution:

  Centro de Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto

• Abstract:

  The Einstein Equivalence Principle (EEP, which Einstein formulated in 1907) is the cornerstone of General Relativity (only formulated in 1915) but also of the broader class of metric theories of gravity. Although often confused, the two are conceptually distinct, and different experiments probe one or the other. Recent developments, including quantum interferometric tests and dedicated space missions, are dramatically improving the sensitivity of local EEP tests. This thesis will exploit synergies between these local tests and ongoing and planned astrophysical and cosmological tests - some of which also test the EEP, while others only test GR on various scales. We will systematically explore the relevant particle cosmology paradigms (including dynamical dark energy), further constraining them with facilities such as MICROSCOPE and ESPRESSO and also forecasting and planning future contributions expected from Euclid and ELT instruments.