The Kimchi group in the School of Physics performs theoretical and computational research on strongly interacting quantum matter. As a new research group (at Georgia Tech only since January 2021) we are always looking for new talent to join us: if you are an interested prospective postdoc or prospective student, please contact Itamar Kimchi at
ikimchi@gatech.edu
with your CV and a brief statement of interest.
Our group works on correlated quantum systems, and on the topological and entangled phases of matter which can sometimes emerge in these systems. In these kinds of settings, no direct computer simulations can ever be performed even in principle: figuring out the right questions to ask (including using simulations in more clever ways) is the challenging and most fun part of the work.
A recent public talk titled “Dirty Quantum Entanglement”, aimed at an advanced physics undergraduate level (the older audience member visible in the video is MIT donor Mr. Pappalardo), can be viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1K8d0IMlCQ
Our group’s research interests, in the theory of quantum matter, focus on model systems that allow us to discover conceptually new insights in the theory, and that often are also relevant to experiments. A favorite setting is frustrated quantum spin systems, sometimes with strong spin-orbit coupling (e.g. iridates), sometimes also with quenched disorder. Such quantum magnets are closely related to superconductivity. Other settings include topological quantum anomalies, quantum Hall, topological semimetals, and increasingly various cold atomic and molecular systems. Such controlled systems, as well as quantum materials, are directly relevant to quantum information science including the quantum computing research that is gaining new popular visibility.
Typically our research projects combine analytical studies with some kind of numerical technique, often tailor-designed for the particular problem. This can also help to connect back to experiment.