Given that gravitational waves are the future probes of the Universe, it is important to test various physical effects of these on matter. This article explores the first-order perturbation, caused by a planar gravitational wave, on massless scalar and chiral fermions. We find a new propagating mode for the perturbed fields with a new dispersion relation by solving inhomogeneous differential equations. We also discuss the massive scalar field, and find interesting effects due to the gravitational wave. Our results have physical implications for early Universe cosmology and also for ground-based observations, where the new mode might be able to help in the gravitational waves’ detection on Earth.

We develop a hybrid classical–quantum method for solving the Lorenz system. We use the forward Euler method to discretize the system in time, transforming it into a system of equations. This set of equations is solved by using the Variational Quantum Linear Solver (VQLS) algorithm. We present numerical results comparing the hybrid method with the classical approach for solving the Lorenz system. The simulation results demonstrate that the VQLS method can effectively compute solutions comparable to classical methods. The method is easily extended to solving similar nonlinear differential equations.

With the discovery of gravitational waves, the search for the quantum of gravity, the graviton, is imminent. We discuss the current status of the bounds on graviton mass from experiments as well as the theoretical understanding of these particles. We provide an overview of current experiments in astrophysics such as the search for Hawking radiation in gamma-ray observations and neutrino detectors, which will also shed light on the existence of primordial black holes. Finally, the semiclassical corrections to the image of the event horizon are discussed.

This paper presents a review of some improvements in the status of women in physics in Canada in the past three years as a result of joint efforts by government, academics, industry participants, the Canadian Association of Physicists, granting agencies, and representatives of outreach and science promotion programs.