PEOPLE

Research Summary:

In the field of quantum reaction dynamics I use reduced dimensional models to study reactive collisions between small polyatomic molecules. A subset of the degrees of freedom are treated using fully quantum dynamical methods whilst the remaining spectator modes are dealt with in a more approximate fashion. A particular focus of this work is the development of projection operators in curvilinear coordinates to accurately represent the spectator modes.

My work on low-dimensional has focused on the critical properties of the 2dXY model and the universality of its order parameter fluctuations. This has led to the consideration of a family of d-dimensional critical models and the search for novel Kosterlitz-Thouless like transitions in one-dimensional spin chains with long range interactions.

I have recently become interested in the effect of constraints on randomness in models of frustrated magnets. Specifically the effect that constraints may have on the capacity of these systems to order or develop glassy phases. This work deals primarily with binary pyrochlore systems for which a complete picture of the ground state magnet configurations has been elucidated. These models provide a useful window into the subtle consequences of constraints in models of frustration and glassiness.

Keywords:

Frustrated Magnetism, Reaction Dynamics, Spin Models

Group: