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Quantum mechanics and general relativity
Whereas general relativity dominates
the cosmic scales, quantum mechanics governs the microscopic world and
reveals the fundamental wave nature of matter. These two topics were
successfully combined in the so-called QUANTUS project, in which a
Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) was prepared and observed during free
fall in the drop tower of Bremen. This experiment represents a milestone
on the way to future space missions for new inertial and rotation
sensors in space.
Despite these local aspects of general relativity that are worth being
tested with unprecedented accuracy, general relativity includes also
very peculiar solutions of Einstein's field equation in which time
travel in principle becomes possible, such as the so-called Gödel Universe.
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