Research in theory does not depend on equipment (except for computers). Thus some theoretical studies are flexible and opportunistic,changing as new ideas and experimental data become available. At Albany, the electronic structure studies are a well-established and continuing program, but the other programs described below are subject to change as new ideas arrise.
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE (Professor Das)
The physics of nearly everything (atoms, molecules, solids, and other materials) can be properly described only if accurate quantum mechanical descriptions of the electronic states are provided. Hartree-Fock electronic structure calculations being done at the University at Albany helped provide insight into a wide variety of systems, including biological molecules and fullerenes.
Stringent tests of theories and experiments, as well as physical knowledge, are obtained from the calculations of special properties. These include calculations of the interaction between nuclear magnetic moments and their surrounding electrons. Such interactions can be measured in various resonance experiments. Another important application of the theory is the prediction of properties of impurities and muons in solids. The emphasis is on the interpretation of experimental results, and there is a strong interaction with experimental groups in this country and abroad.
The standard Hartree Fock theory is only an approximation. Extensions of the theory to include many-body and relativistic effects are being developed. Applications of these results to heavy atoms supply a testing ground where these complex calculations can be compared with experiments. Hartree-Fock and related calculations are very complex and numerically intensive. Some calculations are done on Albany-based computers, including our own high-speed RISC station. However, this is not sufficient. Albany is connected to the Cornell supercomputer, where many of these calculations are done. Networked supercomputers at Tokyo, Japan and Ferrara, Italy are also used.
DIFFRACTION PHENOMENA (Professor Caticha)
The theories of x-ray and neutron scattering are being extended beyond the well-explored regime of diffraction by crystals. One example is the study of phenomena involving both crystal diffraction and quantum electrodynamics. High energy (MeV gamma rays or KeV neutrons) crystal diffraction displays interesting interplays of diffraction and relativistic effects. Diffraction affects the emission of x rays by relativistic electrons. Possible application include the development of new intense x-ray sources. This research ranges from applied to purely theoretical physics, and it can provide theoretical students with a wide variety of marketable skills.
PARTICLE PHYSICS AND RELATIVITY (Professor Inomata)
Activities in theoretical particle physics include studies of monopoles, anyons, supersymmetry, quantum algebra and topological effects. Path integral techniques in quantum mechanics and statistical physics are also investigated in collaboration with a theory group at the University of Erlangen-Nurnberg, Germany.
