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Geoff Milward The Theory of Condensed Matter Group
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The Work of a Theoretical Physicist What do theorists do? Understand the world by making models. Good theories are: Simple – we’d prefer General – apply widely Use models to make predictions. Newton’s laws got man to the moon – and back! Notice when models stop working. Try to develop a new theory
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Three States of Matter? 1 Fourth state – plasma? What happens if we replace spheres with something else…
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Three States of Matter? 2 What happens with Long atoms? Get Liquid Crystals Lots of types of Liquid crystals Used in displays everywhere.
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Stripes of Atoms Some compounds “self-organise” Can we understand how stripes form? Can we control where stripes form? Could then make ultra-high density storage.
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Computer Simulations 1 Rusting Oxygens red Metals silver See how oxygen atoms move down into the metal
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Computer Simulations 2 Medical physics Growing Bone (calcium) on implants Ca in water gets deposited on the structure we have built
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Summary Theorists develop and use mathematical models to understand the world and beyond. In Theory of Condensed Matter we: Try to understand and use new states of matter Work out how to get the atoms themselves to build tiny electronic devices Simulate chemical reactions And many more …
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