Mathematical Physics
Faculty
- Daniel Erik Axel Appelo
- Matthew Edward Hedden
- Efstratia Kalfagianni
- Di Liu
- Konstantin Matetski
- Milan Miklavcic
- Brent Nelson
- Thomas H Parker
- Keith S Promislow
- Jeffrey Hudson Schenker
- Michael Shapiro
- Willie Wai-Yeung Wong
- Dapeng Zhan
- Zhengfang Zhou
Mathematical physics is a branch of pure mathematics with the aim of deriving rigorous results for models suggested by physical theory. The general goal is to produce mathematical results which illustrate or illuminate the theory; to prove theorems, with consequences for science, based on mathematical structures abstracted from physics. In particular, much work in the field has focused on problems in statistical physics, quantum mechanics, condensed matter theory, general relativity and quantum field theory, as well as on mathematical developments in functional analysis, topology, geometry, algebra and probability theory to which such subjects lead.
The interests of mathematical physics group at MSU are broad, and include
- Effects of disorder on quantum and condensed matter systems.
- Gauge theory and physics, in particular super-conductivity and topological phases.
- General relativity
- Schramm Loewner Evolution and critical phenomena in 2D.
- Effective PDE models of phase separation and complex networks.
- Algebraic aspects of (discrete) integrable systems. Applications of cluster algebras. Moduli spaces of complex curves with marked points.
- Multiparticle localization theory. Localization design.
Our group works closely with the physics department through the MSU Institute for Mathematical and Theoretical Physics, as well as the Geometry, Topology and PDE groups.
We run a very active biweekly seminar with talks by local and invited speakers.