Physics 795: CMT - Nov 3, 2006 1

Physics 795:

Condensed Matter Theory

Ralf Bundschuh

Jason Ho

C. Jayaprakash

Julia Meyer

Bruce Patton

Bill Putikka

Mohit Randeria

Will Saam

David Stroud

Nandini Trivedi

John Wilkins

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Condensed Matter Theorists @ OSU

R. Bundschuh J. Ho J. MeyerC. Jayaprakash B. Patton

W. Putikka W. Saam D. StroudN. Trivedi

& J. Wilkins

M. Randeria

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Physics 795: CMT - Nov 3, 2006 4

Julia Meyer Mesoscopic physics[ meso = somewhere in between micro &

macro ]

Interactions and disorder

in low-dimensional & nanostructured

systems

CURRENT PROJECTS:

- deviations from one-dimensionality

in interacting quantum wires

- ultracold dipolar gases in optical lattices

- proximity effect in

superconductor-ferromagnet

hybrid structures

MY GROUP: 1 graduate student [ possibly one more opening ! ]

+ looking for one postdoc

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Bill Putikka Research InterestsPairing Correlations for Models of Strongly Correlated Electrons● High temperature expansions for the 2D● t-J, Hubbard Models (High Tc)● Superconducting correlation length● Currently no funding, but maybe by spring (grants submitted this fall)● WO Putikka & MU Luchini PRL 96, 247001 (1996)Spin Lifetimes in Semiconductors● Relaxation of nonequilibrium spin distributions by a range of physical processes● Relevant for Spintronics● Maybe relevant for Quantum Computing• Currently supporting one grad student, Nick Harmon● WO Putikka & R Joynt PRB70, 113201 (2004)

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Mohit Randeria

• Superconductivity in doped Mott insulators - High Tc superconductors

• Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of complex materials

• Cold atoms: superfluidity & BCS-BEC crossover

Strongly interactingQuantum many-body systems

Group members: Rajdeep Sensarma (PhD student) Roberto Diener (Post-doctoral research associate)

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DAVID STROUD: RESEARCH INTERESTS

• HIGH-Tc SUPERCONDUCTORS. We are studying electronic properties of these materials.

• QUBITS. We try to invent controllable two-level systems out of superconductors, for ``quantum computing.’’

• NANOSCALE OPTICAL MATERIALS. Tiny metal grains in air or glass (or linked together with strands of DNA) have unique optical properties, and aggregate at low temperatures

• More information at /~stroud/Research.html

Linker DNA

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Nandini Trivedi

How do many electrons organise themselves? The magic of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics!NEW PHASES AND QUANTUM PHASE TRANSITIONS

Some of the most challenging problems in condensed matter today deal with new phases of matter generated by strong interactions between the constituents. Disorder in such correlated systems can produce novel effects.

BIG PICTURE

Condensed Matter Theory

My Group: Grad Students:Kohjiro Kobayashi- Metal Insulator transition Rajdeep SenSarma – High Tc Superconductivity(jointly with M. Randeria)

Vamsi Akkineni – BCS-BEC Crossover in Ultracold Atoms(jointly with D. Ceperley, Urbana)

Undergraduates:Tim Arnold– Nano SuperconductorsEric Wolf– Dynamics of quantum systems

Other collaborations on Superconductor-Insulator Transition (Berkeley); Optical Lattices (ISSP, Tokyo and Trento, Italy)

Group meetings: every Friday at noonE-mail ME IF YOU ARE INTERESTED

Techniques: semianalytical; Quantum Monte Carlo techniquesmatlab; mathematica

Opening for at least 1 grad student

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John Wilkins

1. Predicting bandgap offsets of semiconductor heterostructures. The aim is to provide predictive data for scientists and engineers designing new semiconductor devices. Currently there is lot of trial and error (called combinatorial synthesis) to find desired band gaps and the offset of valence and conduction bands. Current method are seldom better than a factor of two (useless!).

2. Predicting defect formation and evolution in semiconductors and metals. Today we have simple pictures that we believe are quantitative for motion of small interstitial clusters in silicon and alpha->omega phase transition in titanium. Interest in the first is to eventually understand how large defects are formed. [Generally these are undesirable. Knowing the path might lead to blocking it.] In titanium, omega phase is brittle. This transition needs to be inhibited. Current success is again thru experimentally combinatorial methods. Anything that could shorten the process is a step forward.

3. To simulate large system -- necessary for reality -- models are necessary. We are exploiting quantum Monte Carlo methods (that, in principle can be exact) to benchmark these models. Viewgraph at http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~wilkins/junk/qmc.html shows one example.

Summary:

Broad range of computational approaches model defect-induced properties aimed at predicting and improving properties.

Benchmarking methods are essential to ensure model predictions are reliable.

This double focus needs a range of skills and interest from pure to applied.

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… and the others …

• Tin-Lun (Jason) Ho

Fundamental issues in dilute quantum gases: Scalar and Spinor Bose condensates, Fermi gases with large spin, mixtures of quantum gases in optical lattice and rapidly rotating potential, Boson mesoscopics, processing quantum information with spinor Bose condensates; Quantum Hall effects with internal degrees of freedom; Strongly correlated electron systems; Quantum fluids

• C. Jayaprakash

Nonequilibrium phenomena; Fully developed turbulence; Strongly interacting fermion systems

• Bruce R. Patton

Structure and properties of electroceramics; Grain growth in anisotropic systems; Pattern recognition and optimization

• William F. Saam

Phase transitions at interfaces: wetting and roughening transitions; Step interactions on solid surfaces and consequent phase transitions

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http://physics.ohio-state.edu/~cmt/osucmt.html