Research at KoF
Condensed matter theory
Quantum physics in one and two dimensions can be strikingly different
from what we are used to from three-dimensional space. Electrons form
quantum liquids with unexpected properties. In one dimension, the
charge and spin of electrons move independently. In two dimensions,
electrons form new particles whose charge is one third of an electron
charge. Recent developments in experimental techniques have made low
dimensional systems accessible in the laboratory and stimulate
theoretical research. Thors Hans Hansson, Anders Karlhede, Maria
Hermanns and Emma Wikberg
work on these kind of problems in
collaboration with colleagues at Nordita, and several universities both
in Europe and in the US.
Here
you can find
more information about our
research.
General relativity
General
relativity---the classical field theory describing gravity---is
developing quickly, largely under pressure from the new generation of
gravitational wave detectors, and helped by advances on the
mathematical and numerical sides. In our group Ingemar
Bengtsson and Narit
Pidokrajt study black hole physics and Jan
Åman develops computer algebra methods for relativity. This
subgroup actively participates in the national society for General
Relativity (GRSweden).
String theory/Quantum
gravity
The problem of how to define and test a quantum
theory is unsolved. Aleksandr Zheltukhin pursues string theory,
which is one possible answer that also promises to unify gravity with
the other forces and with elementary particle physics. Ingemar
Bengtsson is interested in another approach called loop quantum
gravity.
Quantum information
Classical information theory was
developed long ago to understand the theoretical limits of telephone
communication, computers, etc. Its quantum version is being
developed. In our group Ingemar
Bengtsson and Hoshang
Heydari and Kate Blanchfield study the general theory. Since
2005 the subgroup
led by Mohamed Bourennane has been conducting experiments in quantum
information. For more information, please see http://www.physto.se/~kikor/