Cambridge Theory of Condensed Matter Group -Critical Mass Grant

描述微观成分的宏观行为的出现是凝聚态物理的中心目标。无论这些成分是固体中的电子、气体中的原子还是组织中的细胞，这项任务的内在复杂性要求采用三管齐下的方法，包括：(1)能够精确计算的现实第一原理计算，(2)描述向宏观极限过渡的简化模型，以及(3)对该极限的粗粒度描述。如本提案所述，凝聚态物质理论小组追求一个综合的研究项目，将这种方法应用于跨越量子、软物质和生命物质的系统。这些系统——包括干细胞、色素-蛋白质复合物和半导体-超导体装置——在科学和技术上具有重要的基础意义，对它们的理解可能会及时产生新的疗法、光机械装置、太阳能电池或计算机。本·西蒙斯（Ben Simons）和马克·华纳（Mark Warner）教授将利用简化的微观模型和连续体描述，与美国剑桥、荷兰和其他地方的不同实验小组密切接触，研究活组织和可编程软物质中的生长和形态。Richard Needs教授和Mike Payne教授提出的第一性原理研究将为精确计算超大复杂系统中电子激发态和振动激发态的性质建立万能工具。这种数量上的进步将证明对计算生物学和设计材料是无价的。多体定域的研究对于理解大量子系统的非平衡动力学至关重要。Nigel Cooper教授、Claudio Castelnovo博士和Austen Lamacraft博士将与康奈尔大学和尼尔斯玻尔研究所的项目伙伴密切合作，以量子器件和磁性材料的实验现实模型为目标，以及更易于处理的模型系统，其中更多的控制计算是可能的。

Describing the emergence of macroscopic behaviour from microscopic constituents is the central goal of condensed matter physics. Whether those constituents are electrons in a solid, atoms in a gas, or cells in tissue, the inherent complexity of this task calls for a three-pronged approach involving (1) realistic first principles calculations capable of numerical precision, (2) simplified models describing the transition to the macroscopic limit and (3) coarse-grained descriptions of that limit. As described in this proposal, the Theory of Condensed Matter group pursues an integrated program of research in which this approach is applied to systems spanning quantum, soft, and living matter. These systems - including stem cells, pigment-protein complexes, and semiconductor-superconductor devices - are of fundamental scientific and technological importance, and their understanding may in time yield new therapies, opto-mechanical devices, solar cells, or computers. They are grouped into three themes:The description of growth and form in living tissue and in programmable soft matter will be pursued by Profs Ben Simons and Mark Warner using both simplified microscopic models and continuum descriptions, in close contact with diverse experimental groups in Cambridge, USA, Holland and elsewhere. The first principles investigations proposed by Profs Richard Needs and Mike Payne will establish all-purpose tools for the accurate calculation of the properties of both electronic and vibrational excited states in extremely large and complex systems. Such quantitative advances will prove invaluable for computational biology and designer materials.The study of many body localisation is essential to understanding the non-equilibrium dynamics of large quantum systems. Prof Nigel Cooper and Drs Claudio Castelnovo and Austen Lamacraft will target experimentally realistic models of quantum devices and magnetic materials in close collaboration with project partners at Cornell and the Niels Bohr Institute, as well as more tractable model systems where more controlled calculations are possible.