In America, the purely practical part of science is admirably understood, and careful attention paid to the theoretical portion which is immediately requisite to application…. But hardly anyone in the United States engages in the essentially theoretical and abstract portion of human knowledge. – Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 1835
The Brown Theoretical Physics Center (BTPC) stimulates collaborative research across the boundaries between astrophysics-cosmology, condensed matter and high energy theoretical physics, and supports interdisciplinary cross-departmental research. BTPC faculty are currently engaged in research in quantum matter; quantum information science; climate and environmental physics; theoretical particle physics, quantum field theory, and mathematical physics. The Center has 4 main goals:
- Raise the profile of the Brown Physics Department: Vigorous research by BTPC members is reflected in the large number of papers produced by Center faculty and students.
- Increase collaborative research: Many of the center publications include multiple BTPC members. New collaborations have been initiated as evidenced by joint grants.
- Attract the best graduate students: The Department of Physics attracts excellent undergraduate concentrators, most of whom enter PhD programs after Brown. There are also some exceptional ScM and PhD students who are attracted to work with BTPC faculty.
- Provide unique training: The center hosts a bi-weekly “IDEA” (InterDisciplinary made EAsy) lunchtime seminar run by the Center postdocs and aimed at students and postdocs. The layout of the Barus building invites collaborative discussions, and has become popular for both undergraduate and graduate students and can be found working there at all times of day.
The BTPC was recently renewed for another 3 years. Our long-term goal will be to transform the BTPC into a Center with a broader focus on interdisciplinary theoretical science (modeled in part on the Princeton Center for Theoretical Science – PCTS) and reflected in a possible name change to BCTS. In the short term we are working to strengthen connections between the physics subfields of astro-cosmo-particle and condensed matter physics, establish further connections to the Applied Math, Chemistry, DEEPS, and Engineering departments at Brown, and bring in more physics visitors from other institutions.
We are focusing on research connections between astro-cosmo-particle physics and condensed matter physics, including the use of quantum sensing for dark matter searches, and fluid / plasma physics across scales. New faculty hire Aaron Hui works on hydrodynamics and will help to make connection across fields.
You have scientific genius among you .… Take all unnecessary impediments out of its way … above all things, avoiding that question which ignorance so often addresses to genius, ‘What is the use of your work?’ – Tyndall, Six Lectures on Light, 1873
Brad Marston, Director
The history of Physics at Brown University
Thank you to Joseph D. Martin (Durham University) for the Tocqueville and Tyndall quotations.