Cambridge Condensed Matter Theory Programme Grant
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
As theoreticians, we construct models of physical and chemical processes that are generally inspired by experimental discoveries, we generalise these models and their solutions to make predictions for new experiments, and we transfer the concepts and theoretical tools which emerge from the solution of these models to other areas of research, in a concerted interdisciplinary effort. In short, the role of theory is to understand known phenomena observed in the laboratory or in everyday life, and to predict new physical processes and phenomena.Our theoretical research is both about making calculations, to quantitatively understand and predict the behaviour of matter, but also about making models to illuminate the landscape of emergent behaviour in physics, chemistry, material science, and biology. The role of theory includes both fundamental knowledge creation and practical applications of modelling for new and existing technology. The applications of our activity are as various as ultracold atoms, semiconductor devices and DNA assembly.Starting from first principles on the microscopic level (as embodied in the Schrdinger equation) electronic, mechanical and structural properties of molecules and materials can now be calculated with a remarkable degree of accuracy. We work on developing and refining new computational tools and applying them to a broad spectrum of fundamental and applied problems in physics, chemistry, materials science and biology.Solids and fluids often show unusual collective behaviour resulting from cooperative quantum or classical phenomena. For such phenomena a more model-based approach is often appropriate, and we are using such methods to attack problems in magnetism, superfluidity, nonlinear optics, mesoscopic systems, complex fluids and solids, andbio-polymers. Collective behaviour comes even more to the fore in systems on a larger scale. As examples, we work on self-organising structures in soft condensed matter systems, non-linear dynamics of interacting systems, and models of biophysical processes, all of which bridge the gap between molecular and mesoscopic scales.
Organisations
Publications
Adams JM
(2009)
Mechanical switching of ferroelectric rubber.
in Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics
Amoyel M
(2014)
Neutral competition of stem cells is skewed by proliferative changes downstream of Hh and Hpo.
in The EMBO journal
Azadi S
(2014)
Dissociation of High-Pressure Solid Molecular Hydrogen: A Quantum Monte Carlo and Anharmonic Vibrational Study
in Physical Review Letters
Badinski A
(2008)
Energy derivatives in quantum Monte Carlo involving the zero-variance property
in The Journal of Chemical Physics
Badinski A
(2008)
Publisher's Note: Total forces in the diffusion Monte Carlo method with nonlocal pseudopotentials [Phys. Rev. B 78 , 035134 (2008)]
in Physical Review B
Badinski A
(2008)
Energy derivatives in quantum Monte Carlo involving the zero-variance property
in The Journal of Chemical Physics
Badinski A
(2008)
Nodal Pulay terms for accurate diffusion quantum Monte Carlo forces
in Physical Review B
Badinski A
(2010)
Methods for calculating forces within quantum Monte Carlo simulations.
in Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal
Bardwell DA
(2011)
Towards crystal structure prediction of complex organic compounds--a report on the fifth blind test.
in Acta crystallographica. Section B, Structural science
Bartók AP
(2010)
Gaussian approximation potentials: the accuracy of quantum mechanics, without the electrons.
in Physical review letters
Baur SK
(2012)
Coupled ferromagnetic and nematic ordering of fermions in an optical flux lattice.
in Physical review letters
Bell S
(2017)
Focal Adhesion Kinase: The Reversible Molecular Mechanosensor.
in Biophysical journal
Benetatos P
(2010)
Stretching semiflexible filaments with quenched disorder.
in Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics
Benetatos P
(2010)
Stretching weakly bending filaments with spontaneous curvature in two dimensions.
in Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics
Benetatos P
(2011)
Constrained random-force model for weakly bending semiflexible polymers.
in Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics
Benetatos P
(2013)
Bundling in brushes of directed and semiflexible polymers.
in Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics
Bernstein N
(2012)
QM/MM simulation of liquid water with an adaptive quantum region.
in Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Berridge AM
(2009)
Inhomogeneous magnetic phases: a Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov-like phase in Sr3Ru2O7.
in Physical review letters
Bhaseen M
(2012)
Dynamics of nonequilibrium Dicke models
in Physical Review A
Bhaseen M
(2011)
Magnetic properties of the second Mott lobe in pairing Hamiltonians
in Physical Review A
Bhaseen M
(2012)
Discrete symmetry breaking transitions between paired superfluids
in Physical Review A
Bhaseen MJ
(2009)
Polaritons and pairing phenomena in Bose-Hubbard mixtures.
in Physical review letters
Bhaseen MJ
(2009)
Feshbach resonance in optical lattices and the quantum Ising model.
in Physical review letters
Bhattacharya K
(2009)
Stress-Induced Phase Transformations in Shape-Memory Polycrystals
in Archive for Rational Mechanics and Analysis
Biggins J
(2012)
Elasticity of polydomain liquid crystal elastomers
in Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids
Description | Condensed Matter is intrinsically complex. The term refers to systems of vast numbers of atoms placed so close together that the electrons may no longer be confined to a single atom and the atoms interact strongly together. Perhaps not surprisingly, condensed matter systems can exhibit a vast array of different physical, chemical and/or biological properties, often on many different lengthscales. We should also remember that the fundamental equations of physics can usually only be solved exactly |
Exploitation Route | In some cases, there are opportunities for commercial exploitation of the methods we develop, particularly those involving computer modelling, but more realistically it is the novel phenomena and the systems and/or materials that exhibit them that will offer opportunities for commercial exploitation. As explained above we interact with many communities of other academic researchers. |
Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Healthcare,Manufacturing/ including Industrial Biotechology |
URL | http://www.tcm.phy.cam.ac.uk/ |
Description | The Cambridge Theory of Condensed Matter Programme Grant was one of a long line of grants that provided long term flexible funding for the core activities of the research group. These grants have allowed us to be innovative, respond rapidly to research opportunities, take on long term riskier research and to support ongoing software development projects. The outcomes reported elsewhere give some indication of the impact of these grants which is clearly marked bymany metrics such as developing the research careers of out young researchers, awards and prizes to the PI and Co-Is and to software that is now sold commercially. |
First Year Of Impact | 2009 |
Sector | Chemicals,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Electronics,Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Economic |
Title | CASTEP |
Description | A quantum mechanical atomistic simulation tool |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Impact | The software was originally licenced in 1994 but is continually upgraded and improved. It is sold commercially by Biovia (formerly Accelrys) with annual sales in excess of £1million and cumulative sales in excess of $30 |
URL | http://accelrys.com/products/materials-studio/quantum-and-catalysis-software.html |
Title | ONETEP |
Description | ONETEP is a linear scaling quantum mechanical atomistic simulation tool |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Impact | This software is continuously improved in terms of both functionality and speed. It has been sold commercially by Biovia (formerly Accelrys) since 2004 and now has commercial sales in excess of $4.5million |
URL | http://accelrys.com/products/materials-studio/quantum-and-catalysis-software.html |