SF1 - Strong (EM) Fields Physics and Laboratory |
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Speaker |
Raetzel, Dennis |
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Coauthors |
Schneiter, Fabienne; Braun, Daniel |
| Talk Title |
The gravitational field of a laser beam |
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Abstract |
In this talk, I present our recent work on the gravitational field of light in a focused laser beam, modeled as a solution to Maxwell's equations perturbatively expanded in the beam divergence. Using this approach, wave properties of light, such as diffraction, are taken into account that have been neglected in earlier studies. Interesting features of the gravitational field of laser beams become apparent: frame-dragging due to the intrinsic angular momentum of light; a gravitational Faraday effect for parallel co-propagating test beams; the deflection of such test beams for short distances to the source beam. We can expect the gravitational field of light to be extremely weak. However, advancements in sensor technology for oscillating gravitational fields may enable the detection of the effect in the future. Certainly, laser beams would be the suitable sources for such experiments. Furthermore, the properties of light are premises in the foundations of modern physics. Studying the back-reaction of light on the gravitational field could give new fundamental insights to our understanding of space and time as well as classical and quantum gravity. |
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