Skip to main content

Gravitational Theory

ABOUT OUR RESEARCH

Our research is focused on general relativity and its applications in astrophysics and geodesy as well as relations to quantum physics. This includes astrophysical extreme mass ratio systems and accretion disks around black holes as well as investigations of relativistic effects on the motion of satellites. The relativistic effects in rates of clocks on Earth and in space are crucial e.g. for height determination in geodesy. Moreover, we study fundamental problems in electrodynamics and in alternative theories of gravity.

Our fields of research

  • Dynamics of light, particles (stars), and fluids in relativistic spacetimes using mostly analytical techniques
  • Applications in relativistic astrophysics: extreme mass ratio systems, pulsar timing, accretion disks, gravitational lensing
  • Tests of gravity: investigation of relativistic effects on satellites orbiting the Earth as well as Earth- or space-based clocks
  • Relativistic geodesy: basic notions in General Relativity (GR), new concepts using the additional gravity degrees of freedom in GR; related topics are synchronisation and geodetic reference frames
  • Alternative/modified theories of gravity and electrodynamics

CONTACT

Cluster of Excellence 'QuantumFrontiers'

The QuantumFrontiers program explores light and matter at the quantum frontier, advancing quantum and nanometrology to enhance measurement precision. These innovations enable groundbreaking technologies, from probing gravitational waves to understanding quantum-scale phenomena, deepening our knowledge of nature at both cosmic and microscopic scales.

Collaborative Research Center 'TerraQ - Relativistic and Quantum-based Geodesy'

The long term vision of TerraQ is to create a new geodesy based on quantum physics and general relativity, enabling unique prospects for satellite geodesy, gravimetric Earth observation and reference systems.

Research Unit 'Clock Metrology: A Novel Approach to TIME in Geodesy'

This research unit develops methods to enhance geodetic reference systems by linking all space geodetic techniques to a common time system. Accurate, stable global reference frames are essential for positioning, navigation, and understanding long-term geodynamic and climate processes, including plate tectonics and sea-level change.

Cost Action 23130 - Bridging high and low energies in search of quantum gravity (BridgeQG)

This COST Action Network brings together theorists and experimentalists to explore the regime where gravity meets quantum physics. From astrophysical observations to precision table-top experiments, the aim is to understand Planck-scale effects and study gravity's influence on quantum systems, bridging expertise in quantum-gravity, -optics, -mechanics, and high-energy astrophysics.

DFG Project 'Momentum dependent spacetime geometries: Traces of quantum gravity and fields in media'

This project establishes a rigorous mathematical framework for effective quantum spacetime geometries using Finsler and Hamilton geometry. It seeks to derive observable predictions (e.g., particle trajectories, time delays, light deflections), study classical and quantum field propagation on quantum spacetime, and develops the dynamics that determine the quantum spacetime geometry.

DFG project: General relativistic theory of charged accretion disk structures around black holes: influence of the (self)-electromagnetic interaction

Accretion disks around black holes and neutron stars, shaped by electromagnetic fields, provide insights into strong-gravity regimes. This project explores charged fluid disks, focusing on their self-interactions through analytic models and GRMHD simulations, aiming to unravel complex phenomena in disk structure, physics, and evolution near compact objects.

{f:if(condition: address.contentObjectData.sys_language_uid == 2, then: 'Ein Bild von {address.firstName} {address.lastName}', else: 'Image of {address.firstName} {address.lastName}')}

Dr. Christian Pfeifer

Researcher

+49 421 218 - 57837

christian.pfeifer
{f:if(condition: address.contentObjectData.sys_language_uid == 2, then: 'Ein Bild von {address.firstName} {address.lastName}', else: 'Image of {address.firstName} {address.lastName}')}

Dr. Dennis Philipp

Researcher

+49 421 218 - 57845

dennis.philipp
{f:if(condition: address.contentObjectData.sys_language_uid == 2, then: 'Ein Bild von {address.firstName} {address.lastName}', else: 'Image of {address.firstName} {address.lastName}')}

Dr. Audrey Trova

Researcher

+49 421 218 - 57856

audrey.trova
{f:if(condition: address.contentObjectData.sys_language_uid == 2, then: '{settings.defaultEmployeePictureAltDE.value}', else: '{settings.defaultEmployeePictureAltEN.value}')}

Jan Patrick Hackstein

Researcher

+49 421 218 - 57829

jan.hackstein
{f:if(condition: address.contentObjectData.sys_language_uid == 2, then: 'Ein Bild von {address.firstName} {address.lastName}', else: 'Image of {address.firstName} {address.lastName}')}

Altin Shala

Researcher

+49 421 218 - 57873

altin.shala
{f:if(condition: address.contentObjectData.sys_language_uid == 2, then: '{settings.defaultEmployeePictureAltDE.value}', else: '{settings.defaultEmployeePictureAltEN.value}')}

Felix Willenborg

Researcher

+49 421 218 - 57948

felix.willenborg
{f:if(condition: address.contentObjectData.sys_language_uid == 2, then: '{settings.defaultEmployeePictureAltDE.value}', else: '{settings.defaultEmployeePictureAltEN.value}')}

Marian Cepok

Researcher

+49 421 218 - 57950

marian.cepok
{f:if(condition: address.contentObjectData.sys_language_uid == 2, then: '{settings.defaultEmployeePictureAltDE.value}', else: '{settings.defaultEmployeePictureAltEN.value}')}

Bennet Grützner

Researcher

+49 421 218 - 57843

bennet.gruetzner
{f:if(condition: address.contentObjectData.sys_language_uid == 2, then: '{settings.defaultEmployeePictureAltDE.value}', else: '{settings.defaultEmployeePictureAltEN.value}')}

Dr. Dennis Rätzel

Researcher

+49 421 218 - 57935

dennis.raetzel
{f:if(condition: address.contentObjectData.sys_language_uid == 2, then: 'Ein Bild von {address.firstName} {address.lastName}', else: 'Image of {address.firstName} {address.lastName}')}

Dr. Shokoufeh Faraji

Visiting researcher


shokoufe.faraji

The list below shows the latest 25 publications of this research group. For the complete, searchable list of ZARM publications, please click more

2025

Yanchyshen, Oleksii; Lämmerzahl, Claus
Gaussian orbital perturbation theory in Schwarzschild space-time in terms of elliptic functions
Classical and Quantum Gravity, 42 :045010
2025

Hackmann, Eva; Huckfeldt, Moritz; Lämmerzahl, Claus; Philipp, Dennis; Rievers, Benny
General relativity and geodesy
International Journal of Modern Physics D
2025

Trova, Audrey; Hackmann, Eva
Non-Keplerian Charged Accretion Disk Orbiting a Black Hole Pulsar
Universe, 11 (2) :45
2025

2024

Aratore, F.; Tsupko, O. Yu.; Perlick, V.
Constraining spherically symmetric metrics by the gap between photon rings
Physical Review D, 109 :124057
2024

Bezděková, Barbora; Tsupko, Oleg Yu.; Pfeifer, Christian
Deflection of light rays in a moving medium around a spherically symmetric gravitating object
Physical Review D, 109 (12) :124024
2024

Trova, Audrey
Equilibrium of charged fluid around a Kerr black hole immersed in a magnetic field: Variation of angular momentum
International Journal of Modern Physics D, 33
2024

Willenborg, Felix; Philipp, Dennis; Lämmerzahl, Claus
Exact wave-optical imaging of a Kerr–de Sitter black hole using Heun’s equation
Physical Review D
2024

Lämmerzahl, Claus; Ulbricht, Sebastian
Gravitational Metrological Triangle
Physical Review Letters, 133 :241402
2024

Perlick, V.; Tsupko, O. Yu.
Light propagation in a plasma on Kerr spacetime. II. Plasma imprint on photon orbits
Physical Review D, 109 :064063
2024

Trova, Audrey
Mass and spin measurements of black hole and neutron stars X-ray binaries through axisymmetric oscillation modes of thick torus
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 535 :612
2024

Lämmerzahl, Claus; Perlick, Volker
Potentials for general-relativistic geodesy
Physical Review D, 109 :044028
2024

Asuküla, Helen; Hohmann, Manuel; Karanasou, Vasiliki; Bahamonde, Sebastian; Pfeifer, Christian; Lúis, João Rosa
Spherically symmetric vacuum solutions in one-parameter new general relativity and their phenomenology
Physical Review D, 109 (6) :064027
2024

Schroven, Kris; Karas, Vladimir; Horák, Jiří; Trova, Audrey; Hackmann, Eva
Stability of rotating, charged fluids: Generalization of the Høiland conditions in Newtonian nonconductive case
Physical Review D, 109 :043047
2024

Feleppa, F.; Bozza, V.; Tsupko, O. Yu.
Strong deflection limit analysis of black hole lensing in inhomogeneous plasma
Physical Review D, 110 :064031
2024

Palge, Veiko; Pfeifer, Christian
Thomas-Wigner rotation as a holonomy for spin-1/2 particles
Physical Review A, 109 (3) :032206
2024

Hohmann, Manuel; Pfeifer, Christian; Wagner, Fabian
Weak equivalence principle and nonrelativistic limit of general dispersion relations
Physical Review D, 110 :104030
2024

2023

Heefer, Sjors; Pfeifer, Christian; Reggio, Antonio; Fuster, Andrea
A Cosmological unicorn solution to Finsler gravity
Phys. Rev. D, 108 (6) :064051
2023

Faraji, Shokoufe; Trova, Audrey
Axisymmetric oscillation modes of relativistic tori in the vicinity of a distorted, deformed compact object
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
2023

Voicu, Nicoleta; Pfeifer, Christian; Cheraghchi, Samira
Birkhoff theorem for Berwald-Finsler spacetimes
Phys. Rev. D, 108 (10) :104060
2023

Bahamonde, Sebastian; Doneva, Daniela D.; Ducobu, Ludovic; Pfeifer, Christian; Yazadjiev, Stoytcho S.
Distinctive features of hairy black holes in teleparallel Gauss-Bonnet gravity
Phys. Rev. D, 108 (6) :064044
2023

Singh, V. V.; Müller, J.; Biskupek, L.; Hackmann, E.; Lämmerzahl, C.
Equivalence of Active and Passive Gravitational Mass Tested with Lunar Laser Ranging
Physical Review Letters, 131 (2) :021401
2023

Cheraghchi, Samira; Pfeifer, Christian; Voicu, Nicoleta
Four-dimensional SO(3)-spherically symmetric Berwald Finsler spaces
Int. J. Geom. Meth. Mod. Phys., 20 (11) :2350190
2023

Halla, Mourad; Perlick, Volker
Gravitational lensing in Brill spacetimes
Phys. Rev. D, 107 :024048
2023

Glicenstein, J.-F.; Perlick, V.
Gravitational lensing in theories with Lorentz Invariance Violation
2023
Publisher: Springer

Cieślik, A.; Hackmann, E.; Mach, P.
Kerr geodesics in terms of Weierstrass elliptic functions
Physical Review D, 108 (2) :024056
2023