Topics in Statistical Physics

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9976621FisherThis grant continues the support of this well respected PI in several aspects of statistical physics and nonlinear dynamics. The PI has made significant contributions to the class of problems involving interplay between quenched randomness and thermal and quantum fluctuations. The current project encompasses research involving the combined effects of randomness and dynamics on systems with many degrees of freedom. One class of problems involves nonlinear collective transport, which include dynamics of cracks in solids, earthquakes on geological faults, critical current and other breakdown phenomena in superconductors, and the motion of interfaces and charge density waves in solids. Systems which exhibit quantum behavior at low temperatures are particularly susceptible to randomness and can display exotic properties; such phenomena will be studied in both magnetic and electronic systems. Frustration effects in classical systems will also be considered. This grant continues work on a broad range of problems, related by certain underlying mathematical similarities. One class of problems include the motion of geological faults, dynamics of fracture in solids, dielectric breakdown and properties of distribution of intense current in a superconductor. In another class of problems, there are random quantum magnets, propagation of magnetic vortices in a superconductor etc. These problems are noted for their complexity, novelty and a broad range of applications.