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402-0395-10L 8 Credits DR , MSC D-PHYS

Black Holes and Gravitational Waves

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Lavinia Heisenberg, Dr. Andrea Giusti, Dr. Fabio D'Ambrosio
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:02:04

Abstract

The course will discuss some hot topics in gravitational physics, providing an overview on the necessary formalism and its applications to black hole physics and gravitational waves.

Objective

The course aims at providing a general introduction to the necessary tools needed to approach two very active research topics in gravitational physics: 1) theoretical black hole physics; 2) gravitational waves. Time permitting, more formal concepts like the initial value problem in general relativity and quasi-local notions of horizon will be discussed. The course will include a brief introduction to general relativity and differential geometry. Contents: 1. Brief introduction to Differential Geometry and General Relativity; 2. Elementary black hole solutions in general relativity and their properties; 3. Conserved charges; 4. Geometry of hypersurfaces and horizons; 5. Singularity theorems; 6. Hawking radiation and the information loss paradox; 7. Generalities on gravitational waves; 8. Phenomenology of black hole mergers

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture notes and/or slides will be made available prior to each lecture.

Literature

R. Wald, General Relativity, (University of Chicago Press, 1984) C. W. Misner, K. S. Thorne, J. A. Wheeler, Gravitation, (Princeton University Press, 2017) N. Straumann, General Relativity, (Springer, 2013) E. Poisson, A Relativist's Toolkit, (Cambridge University Press, 2004) P. Jetzer, Applications of General Relativity, (Springer, 2022) M. Maggiore, Gravitational Waves, Vol. 1, (Oxford University Press, 2007)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DR , MSC

Examination

Type
ungraded semester performance

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Black Holes and Gravitational Waves
  • Mon 09:45-11:30 (HPV G 5)
  • Tue 09:45-11:30 (HPV G 5)
4 h weekly

Offered In