Producing and detecting gravitational fields at will using magnetic fields, controlling them for study, working with them to produce new technologies—it sounds impossible, but Prof. André Füzfa of Namur University has proposed just that in an article published in the prestigious scientific journal Physical Review D.

At present, scientists study gravitational fields passively. They observe and try to understand existing gravitational fields produced by large inertial masses such as stars or planets, without being able to change them, as with magnetic fields. It was this frustration that led Füzfa to attempt a revolutionary approach: creating gravitational fields at will from well-controlled magnetic fields and observing how these magnetic fields could bend space-time.

In his article, Füzfa has proposed, with supporting mathematical proof, a device with which to create detectable gravitational fields. This theoretical device is based on superconducting electromagnets and therefore relies on technologies routinely used, for example, at CERN or the ITER reactor.

Although conducting this experiment would require major resources, it could be used to test Einstein's theory of general relativity. The ability to produce, detect and, ultimately, control gravitational fields would certainly be a major step forward in physic. People could then produce gravitational interactions in the same way as the other three fundamental interactions (e.g. electromagnetic and strong and weak nuclear forces). That would usher gravitation into a new experimental and industrial era.

Until now, a scientific advance like this was a dream of science fiction, but it could open up many new applications, for example, in the field of telecommunications with gravitational waves. Imagine calling the other side of the world without going through satellite or terrestrial relays.

More information: André Füzfa; How current loops and solenoids curve spacetime; Physical Review D; 13 December 2015; Journal information: Physical Review D André Füzfa; How current loops and solenoids curve spacetime;; 13 December 2015; arxiv.org/abs/1504.00333

Provided by Université de Namur