Can effects of quantum gravity be observed in the cosmic microwave background?

We investigate the question whether small quantum-gravitational effects can be observed in the anisotropy spectrum of the cosmic microwave background radiation. An observation of such an effect is needed in order to discriminate between different approaches to quantum gravity. Using canonical quantum gravity with the Wheeler-DeWitt equation, we find a suppression of power at large scales. Current observations only lead to an upper bound on the energy scale of inflation, but the framework is general enough to study other situations in which such effects might indeed be seen.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, essay awarded first prize in the Gravity Research Foundation essay competition 201

Combinatorics of Chord Progressions

Color poster with text and diagrams.This study explored an overlap between combinatorics and music. The goal was to show chord progressions that are common to a specific collection of music, composer, or era.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

Inflorescence

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On the Concept of Law in Physics

I discuss the main features of the concept of law in physics. Fundamental laws from Newtonian mechanics to general relativity are reviewed. I end with an outlook on the new form of laws in the emerging theory of quantum gravity.Comment: 10 pages, to appear in the Proceedings of the conference "The concept of law in science", Heidelberg, 4-5 June 201