Theoretical Condensed Matter Cambridge - Critical Mass Grant

凝聚态理论的作用是深入了解在自然界中观察到的现象，无论是在实验室还是在自然界中，并利用这些见解来预测新的行为，并为实验设计和研究激发新的方向。为了发展这种方法，作为理论家，我们构建了物理和化学过程的模型，这些模型通常受到实验发现的启发。对于某些应用，这些模型可能来自于组成粒子的基本相互作用的基本知识;在其他情况下，它们可能是受实验现象学启发的抽象。然后，我们利用计算和分析方法来探索和完善这些模型，以捕捉和解释已知的实验性质，并至关重要的是，对新现象进行可测试的预测。通过强调复杂系统的“涌现”或集体行为，我们研究的模型通常可以深入了解不同的研究领域，跨越物理，化学，材料科学和生物学领域。因此，我们的理论研究活动往往是跨学科的性质，既有助于基础知识的创造，并提供建模的新的和现有的technologies.A的实际应用我们的研究的一个关键优势是它依赖于概念和方法，可以在看似不同的学科领域共享和翻译。为了从这种方法中受益，我们寻求以临界质量资金的形式提供支持，这将使我们能够招募博士后研究人员，他们可以从与多个研究人员的合作中获益，使他们能够加强和创造新的合作，开辟新的研究领域，并推进自己的想法。拟议的研究方案大致分为三个不同的主题，这些主题共同由动力学现象的共同主题统一起来。通过计算和解释材料中电子的特性，我们可以为诸如电流或热流等常见现象提供深入的解释，从而为技术创新提供新的途径。主题1中提出的研究将促进我们的理解，以及我们预测材料行为的许多方面的能力，从超导性到磁性。主题2中，我们提出了一个相互关联的方案，研究量子多粒子系统的动力学方面，解决：有限温度实验签名的量子自旋液体在新的磁性材料;性质的拓扑保护激发开放量子系统;和量子电路的动力学方面及其与量子纠错的联系。最后，在主题3中，我们将使用计算和分析方法来研究远离平衡的经典系统的动力学，专注于研究受限系统中的玻璃状现象，在颗粒和生命物质中找到应用。

The role of condensed matter theory is to gain a deep understanding of phenomena observed in nature, either in the laboratory or in the natural world, and to use these insights to predict new behaviours and inspire novel directions for experimental design and investigation. To develop this approach, as theorists, we construct models of physical and chemical processes that are often inspired by experimental discoveries. For some applications, these models may be derived from a basic knowledge of the fundamental interactions of constituent particles; in other cases, they may be abstractions inspired by experimental phenomenology. We then make use of computational and analytical approaches to explore and refine these models to capture and explain known experimental properties and, crucially, to make testable predictions about new phenomena. By placing emphasis on "emergent" or collective behaviours of complex systems, the models we study can often provide insight into disparate fields of research, spanning across areas of physics, chemistry, material science and biology. As a result, our theoretical research activities are often interdisciplinary in character, contributing both to fundamental knowledge creation and providing practical applications of modelling to new and existing technologies.A key strength of our research is its reliance on concepts and methodologies that can be shared and translated across seemingly disparate subject areas. To benefit from this approach, we seek support in the form of Critical Mass funding that will enable us to recruit post-doctoral researchers who can profit from engagement with more than one investigator, enabling them to strengthen and create new collaborations, open new areas of research, and advance their own ideas. The proposed programme of research is separated broadly across three different themes which, together, are united by the common theme of dynamical phenomena. By calculating and interpreting the characteristics of electrons in materials, we can provide deep explanations for common phenomena like the flow of electricity or heat, which in turn suggest new pathways for technological innovation.The research proposed in Theme 1 will advance our understanding, and our ability to predict many aspects of materials behaviour, ranging from superconductivity to magnetism.In Theme 2, we propose an interconnected programme of research on dynamical aspects of quantum many-particle systems, addressing: finite-temperature experimental signatures of quantum spin liquids in novel magnetic materials; the nature of topologically protected excitations in open quantum systems; and dynamical aspects of quantum circuits and their links to quantum error correction.Finally, in theme 3, we will use computational and analytical approaches to study the dynamics of classical systems far from equilibrium, focusing on the study of glass-like phenomena in constrained systems, finding applications in both particulate and living matter.