The interactions between gravitational and electromagnetic waves are examined in the pursuit of a classical criterion for the quantization of electromagnetic radiation. The gravitational effect produced by an electromagnetic wave is the first and simplest case to be addressed. The second case studied is a wave containing both gravitational and electromagnetic oscillations, which is considered only in the linear approximation of general relativity. It is concluded that a classical quantization condition, if it exists, lies in the nonlinear interaction between co-propagating gravitational and electromagnetic waves.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Moussa, Jonathan E.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 01D329M

Advisor

• Larsen, Christopher J.

Year

• 2001

Date created

• 2001-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Physics

Rights statement

• In Copyright