The search for quantum gravity effects I

In this contribution the search for effects from possible theories of quantum gravity is reviewed. In order to distinguish quantum gravity effects from standard effects, first the standard theory and the principles it is based on has to be described. We show that standard physics (the Maxwell equations, the Dirac equation, gravity as a metric theory) is completely based on the Einstein equivalence principle, EEP (for obtaining the Einstein equations, some more requirements are needed). As a consequence, all deviations from the EEP are related to new effects originating from quantum gravity. The variety and structure of these effects is described and the expected magnitude of the effects and a corresponding strategy for the search for these effects are discussed. We stress the advantages of space for performing experiments searching for quantum gravity effects. At the end we make some remarks concerning the daily-life applications of high-precision techniques. PACS 04.80.Cc; 03.30.+p; 06.20.-f; 04.60.-m