Thanu Padmanabhan
Inter-Univ. Center Astron. Astroph. (IUCAA) (Pune, Inde)
Combining the principles of general relativity and quantum theory still remains as elusive as ever. Recent work, that concentrated on the points of conflict and contact between quantum theory and general relativity, suggests a new perspective on gravity. It appears that the field equations of gravity in a wide class of theories - including, but not limited to, standard Einstein's theory - can be given a purely thermodynamic interpretation. In this approach gravity appears as an emergent phenomenon, like e.g., gas or fluid dynamics. I will describe the necessary background, key results, and their implications.
Amphithéâtre Henri Mineur, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris