Princeton University Gravity Group Astrophysics/Cosmology Lunch

Guided by the standard model, string theory and loop quantum gravity, it is possible to propose an effective quantum gravity model that extends GR to allow for parity-violating interactions: Chern-Simons (CS) gravity. In this talk, I describe CS gravity and its prospects of detection. I begin with weak-field tests, including solar system experiments, the parameterized-post-Newtonian (PPN) framework and gravitational wave tests. Strong field considerations follow, where I discuss exact, spinning black hole solutions and Schwarzschild perturbation theory. Finally, I briefly comment on the relation of CS theory with torsion and the consequences of the inclusion of fermionic interaction in the aforementioned tests. The analysis of such tests will hopefully lead to a better understanding of the low-energy limit of quantum gravity.