Theory of Condensed Matter Group, Cambridge - Critical Mass Grant

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 biological function.

Starting from first principles on the microscopic level (as embodied in the Schrödinger 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, particularly at present, in 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, and bio-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.

Although we are a theoretical group we have a long track record of delivering impact from our research. As detailed in the Case for Support, we already have in place many mechanisms to ensure impact from our work and a significant fraction of our previous research has reached, or is in the process of reaching, the market. The reasons that this is possible, despite the theoretical nature of our research, is that much of our work is either (i) targeted at experimental systems so that our theoretical work forms a natural complement to experiment thus adding value to the experiment by providing interpretation and validation and/or (ii) aimed at providing information that is of real world use without the need for extensive experimental input and/or (iii) although purely theoretical in its nature in the initial stages of research concerns systems which can be realized experimentally thus not only allowing our theoretical predictions to be tested but also opening up the longer term possibility that they can have a real world impact.

The group has a broad experience of technology transfer. Professor Payne is the so-called 'Departmental Champion' providing a link between the Cavendish Laboratory and Cambridge Enterprise. One of the tasks associated with this role is providing advice about technology transfer to those members of the Cavendish who are not familiar with this process. It is clear to anyone who has been involved in commercialisation that the demands on technology and software for successful technology transfer are significantly higher than those necessary to, say, publish a paper and that the amount of work required to make the process successful is extremely high. Thus the examples of technology transfer from our group, detailed in the Pathways to Impact, not only indicate the quality of the science involved but indicate that we take the requirement to deliver impact from our work very seriously and are prepared to dedicate the time and effort necessary to make this process successful.