Theoretical Physics (Mathematics Department)

The research interests of the group cover the most central topics in modern fundamental Theoretical Physics.

Gromov, Lambert, Martelli, Papadopoulos, Schafer-Nameki and West primarily focus on topics in supersymmetry and String Theory. In particular West is acknowledged as one of the pioneers of supersymmetry and supergravity and their relation to string theory. He is currently working on finding the symmetries of the theory that underlies a fundamental theory of string and branes. Other members of the group have found some of the key results in more recent developments of string theory and M-theory. Gromov's work has been central in establishing the role of integrability within the gravity/gauge theory correspondence (the AdS/CFT conjecture) and its consequences of non-perturbative phenomenon in quantum field theory. Lambert was the first to understand multiple M2 branes and the decay of unstable D-branes. Martelli has found key geometric results in AdS/CFT, leading to infinitely many new examples and novel mathematical theorems. Papadopoulos discovered important new supergravity solutions which form the basis of non-trivial tests of AdS/CFT and works on classifications of all supersymmetric solutions. Schafer-Nameki has also worked on integrability and is an expert on supersymmetric Grand Unified models obtained from superstring theories.

Doyon, Recknagel and Watts focus on two-dimensional conformal field theory and integrable models and their applications in String Theory. These theories are also of great interest in the wider community with applications to Condensed Matter Physics and pure Mathematics. Their research achievements include: solution of boundary conformal field theories; application of non-commutative geometry in conformal field theory, the role of defects and doyon has constructed a fundamental CFT structure from the purely probabilistic (statistical) description given by conformal loop ensembles.

The group runs several different seminars or discussion groups, holds regular meetings involving the groups from Imperial College and Queen Mary and has a mojor rolling grant from STFC. All group members are active in research and PhD supervision is offered in any of the areas of interest to group members.

For a fuller description of the group, its members and interests, see the group web page http://www.mth.kcl.ac.uk/thphys