Theoretical Physics

The Theoretical Physics group’s interest lies in advancing our understanding of fundamental physics phenomena, and using this knowledge to predict and describe new experiments and applications.

Our research ranges from classical wave theory to quantum information theory, to condensed matter physics and nano physics. For example, we investigate the electromechanical properties of nanoscale materials such as graphene, the spin dynamics of magnetic materials at ultrafast timescales, the light-matter interactions between light and metamaterials, and the occurrence of Hawking radiation in laboratory systems.

To tackle these topics we use analytical and numerical methods including classical wave theory, quantum optics, density functional theory (DFT), micromagnetics and magnonics, and exactly solvable models.

Quantum thermodynamics

This area of research focuses on the interplay of quantum and thermal fluctuations in quantum systems, and the extension of thermodynamics to the quantum regime.

Condensed matter theory

We work on the analytical theory of correlated system in reduced dimensionality, and investigate the physics of electrons and phonons in bulk, surface and nanocomposite structures.

Theory of magnetosensitivity

Current research topics include the avian compass, dipolarly coupled spin-radicals, the chemical Zeno effect and oxidative degradation of lipids.

Magnonics theory
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Magnonics studies phenomena associated with spin waves – elementary excitations of the magnetic order in magnetic materials – and their quanta: magnons.

Material design for energy and business

We research the fundamental theory and design of materials for energy storage and energy harvesting technologies. We are experienced in helping companies develop material solutions.

Wave matter interactions and metamaterial design

We are developing the mathematical theory of the interaction between waves and matter, so that we can better understand how to use materials to control waves.

Group members

Academic staff

Name	Role	Specialisms
Prof Janet Anders	Associate Professor in Quantum Theory	Quantum thermodynamics, quantum information theory, optomechanics
Dr Steven Hepplestone	Lecturer	Physics of energy storage, energy conversion, interfaces, nanomaterials and electronics
Dr Simon Horsley	Senior Research Fellow	Theory of electromagnetism and wave physics, quantum electromagnetism in dielectric media
Dr Daniel Kattnig	Senior Lecturer	Effects of weak magnetic fields on chemical reaction yields relevant to animal magnetoreception
Professor Volodymyr Kruglyak	Associate Professor of Physics	Magnonics, ultrafast magnetism, micromagnetic modelling
Dr Eros Mariani	Senior Lecturer	Theoretical condensed matter physics, graphene and nano-electromechanical systems
Dr Wolfram Möbius	Research Fellow	Effects of environment structure on the evolution of expanding populations
Professor Mikhail (Misha) Portnoi	Associate Professor	Exactly-solvable problems in quantum and statistical mechanics, anyon excitons in the fractional quantum Hall effect regime
Dr Andrey V Shytov	Lecturer	Condensed matter theory (focussing on nanoscale quantum phenomena), nanophysics
Professor Gyaneshwar Srivastava	Professor of Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics	Physics of electrons and phonons
Dr Luis A. Correa	Lecturer	Open quantum systems, quantum thermodynamics
Dr Oleksandr Kyriienko	Lecturer	Quantum polaritonics with semiconductor nanostructures

Postdoctoral research fellows and PhD students

Postdoctoral research fellow	Research area
Dr Hai-Yao Deng	Plasmonics, topological photonic crystals and nanoelectrochanical systems
Dr Iorwerth Thomas
Jesus Rubio	Works with Janet Anders

PhD student	Research area	Supervisor
Shane Davies	Nanoscale patterning of materials to improve their thermoelectric properties	Steve Hepplestone, David Horsell, G P Srivastava
Narima Eerqing	Testing fluctuation relations of conformal changes of biomolecules	Frank Vollmer, Janet Anders
Kevin Fripp	Spin wave phenomena for high speed spin wave devices	Volodymyr Kruglyak
Zoe Holmes (Imperial College London)	Physical realisations of quantum thermodynamic phenomena	Florian Mintert (Imperial), Janet Anders, David Jennings (Imperial)
Oliver Latcham	Excitation of spin waves in magnetic elements using surface acoustic waves	Volodymyr Kruglyak, Geoff Nash
Angus Laurenson	Spin-wave interference in magnonic structure: Bragg scattering and beyond	Volodymyr Kruglyak, Jacopo Bertolotti
Jamie Le Signe	Probing mechanics in quantum mechanics – Josephson nano-resonator metamaterials	Saverio Russo, Eros Mariani
Thomas McDermott		Eros Mariani
Charlie-Ray Mann	Manipulating the properties of light through interaction with matter	Eros Mariani
Stefano Scali		Janet Anders, Simon Horsley
Darren Nutting		Eros Mariani, Annette Plaut
Connor Sait	A quantum thermodynamic study to improve magnetic data storage	Janet Anders, Simon Horsley, Rob Hicken
Ned Taylor	Colossal permittivity materials	Eros Mariani, Steve Hepplestone
Natalie Whitehead	Graded index magnonics	Volodymyr Kruglyak, Tom Philbin, Simon Horsley
Dean Patient	Solid State Refrigeration using 2D/Meta materials	Simon Horsley, Geoff Nash