Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics

Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering

The Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics activity provides theoretical support for all parts of the Materials Science and Engineering Division. Research areas are broadly defined but include themes in correlated electrons, low dimensional systems, nanostructures and theory of the experiment. 

The advent of new materials research areas and new enabling technology requires new theoretical frameworks as well as a re-examination of old theories.   A very important contribution of the theorist is enforcing a rational, consistent understanding of experimental observations so that we can go forward. Most of the time, this means working out the implications of a theory for a specific material or situation. In materials, this can be an extremely difficult task because of the very many atoms involved. Many conceptual tools such as quasiparticles or phenomena at different length scales have been developed and must continue to be developed. This continues to be a very important aspect of this theoretical program. However, many phenomena now being studied involve large scale computation to perform complex calculations or simulations of many interacting components. The rapid advance in computational capabilities enables research at an unprecedented level of sophistication such that computational science has become a "third way of doing science".  But at a price: the complexity of such research requires larger groups of collaborating researchers from a diversity of disciplines.  A significant effort within the portfolio is the development of advanced computer algorithms and fast codes to treat many-particle systems.  A collaboration facilitating component is the Computational Materials Science Network (CMSN), which enables groups of scientists assembled from DOE laboratories, universities, and  industry to address materials problems requiring larger-scale collaboration across disciplinary and organizational boundaries.

Recently, the Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (BESAC) considered Theory and Computation in Basic Energy Sciences.  Amongst their findings, they have identified nine areas of opportunity which emerged strongly from their investigations: 

• Nanoscience

• Biomimetic materials and energy processes

• Correlated electrons in solids

• Excited electronic states

• Control of energy, matter, and information at the quantum level

• Ultrafast physics and chemistry

• Defects in solids

• Magnetic spin systems and single-electron devices

• Control of chemical transformations

at the same time acknowledging that the list is not exhaustive.  These are exciting areas most of which overlap this activity.  

For more information about this core research activity, please contact Dr. Dale Koelling.  Click here for information on other core research activities supported by BES.

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Last modification 07/01/2007