Canonical Gravity and Applications Cosmology, Black Holes, and Quantum Gravity

The first systematic explanation of canonical methods in gravity for graduate students and researchers.

Canonical methods are a powerful mathematical tool within the field of gravitational research, both theoretical and experimental, and have contributed to a number of recent developments in physics. Providing mathematical foundations as well as physical applications, this is the first systematic explanation of canonical methods in gravity. The book discusses the mathematical and geometrical notions underlying canonical tools, highlighting their applications in all aspects of gravitational research from advanced mathematical foundations to modern applications in cosmology and black hole physics. The main canonical formulations, including the Arnowitt-Deser-Misner (ADM) formalism and Ashtekar variables, are derived and discussed. Ideal for both graduate students and researchers, this book provides a link between standard introductions to general relativity and advanced expositions of black hole physics, theoretical cosmology or quantum gravity.

1. Introduction; 2. Isotropic cosmology: a prelude; 3. Hamiltonian formulation of general relativity; 4. Model systems and perturbations; 5. Global and asymptotic properties; 6. Quantum gravity; Appendix; References; Index.

Providing mathematical foundations as well as physical applications, this is the first systematic explanation of canonical methods in gravity. Ideal for both graduate students and researchers, this book provides a link between standard introductions to general relativity and advanced expositions of black hole physics, theoretical cosmology or quantum gravity.

Martin Bojowald is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Gravitation and the Cosmos, Pennsylvania State University. He pioneered loop quantum cosmology, a field on which his research continues to focus.