Theoretical Particle Physics

The theory group would like to encourage candidates to apply for a PhD degree in theoretical physics.  The group focuses on the following areas:

• String theory, quantum gravity and the AdS/CFT correspondence

(Armoni, Hollowood, Kumar, Nunez, Naqvi)

• Lattice gauge theories, QCD

(Aarts, Allton, Hands, Lucini)

• Supersymmetric field theory, perturbative gauge theory

(Dunbar, Perkins, Shore)

• Field Theory in curved spacetime

(Hollowood, Shore)

• Physics beyond the standard model

(Piai)

Candidates are welcomed to contact Dr A. Armoni for enquiries.

The theoretical particle physics research group at the University of Wales Swansea was established in 1992 in an unprecedented initiative in UK particle physics.

Since then the group has been further strengthened and currently numbers nine, making it the equal third largest particle theory group in the UK, but with a remarkably young age profile. It is supported by a major PPARC rolling grant, which together with further grants from the EU, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, the Royal Society, the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust, has enabled a large and lively assemblage of postdoctoral fellows, Ph.D. students and visitors.

The group's research interests cover a broad spectrum of topics in quantum field theory, string theory and elementary particle physics. At present major interests are: duality in supersymmetric gauge theories and string theory; gravitation and cosmology; QCD over a range of collision energies, temperatures and densities; and lattice field theory. The group benefits from a modern computing infrastructure, including a recently acquired APEMille special purpose machine for lattice QCD computations.

Research in particle physics is aimed at understanding the origin of the fundamental particles and interactions of Nature. In recent years, particle physics has developed close relationships with cosmology, especially in describing the very early universe, and with statistical mechanics and condensed matter physics, which share the common language of quantum field theory. A fruitful relationship has also emerged with modern mathematics, with an important exchange of insights between the two disciplines. Swansea theorists are active in all these areas, and a range of challenging research problems is offered to Ph.D. students.

Experimental Physics

The group has recently undergone major expansion with the addition of three new members of staff, along with major investment in newly refurbished and equipped laboratories. The group conducts research in three main fields; Fundamental Atomic Physics, Condensed Matter and Material Physics and Analytical Laser Spectroscopy. Current areas of interest include the creation of anti-matter, electronic properties of superconductors, characterisation of materials for nanotechnology, near-field optics and quantitative trace analysis.

The group is involved with organisations such as British Nuclear Fuels, CERN, Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, the UK synchrotron source at Daresbury and the synchrotron source at Wisconsin-Madison, USA. Significant challenges exist in these areas of experimental research and PhD studentships are available.

For enquiries regarding postgraduate study in the Experimental Group please contact  Dr Stefan Eriksson