Prof. Spenta R. Wadia
Distinguished Professor, TIFR and Director, International Centre for Theoretical Sciences of TIFR

Abstract:Space-time is the arena in which the laws of physics operate. 
We undertake a short tour of the development of the ideas of space-time 
from Newton to Einstein. The application of quantum mechanics to 
Einstein's theory of gravity is beset with deep conceptual and 
practical problems which need to be resolved for applications to 
the physics of black holes and cosmology. In this talk we discuss a 
relatively new framework of physics, in which a consistent theory 
of quantum gravity emerges. For a class of space-times it embodies 
a holographic duality between a standard quantum field theory 
and a theory of gravity in one higher dimension. Besides resolving 
some conundrums of black hole physics, this duality leads to fascinating 
and unsuspected applications of general relativity to problems 
in strongly coupled quantum field theory and condensed matter physics.