Centre for Advanced Study

at the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters

Quantum Phenomena in Lower Dimensions

Information

Former 1995/1996 Natural Sciences - Medicine - Mathematics

Abstract

In the spring semester of 1994 Jan Myrheim and Jon Magne Leinaas were invited to organize a physics program at the Centre for Advanced Study for the academic year 1995/96. The program was defined as a project on quantum phenomena of low-dimensional systems. In recent years there has been a high degree of interest for this field of research. The main reason for the interest has been the discovery of the quantum Hall effect and high temperature superconductivity. In both cases the main dynamics is believed to be due to the quasi-two dimensionality of the electron systems. Prom the theoretical point of view there are many interesting and intriguing aspects which are due to the reduced dimensionality. At an early stage Norwegian physicists have been engaged in theoretical study of these effects, partly motivated by the discovery of Myrheim and Leinaas that fractional statistics, which interpolate between Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics, is a theoretical possibility in two and one-dimensional systems. In recent years this work has been followed up in a co-operation between Norwegian physicists and physicists from Sweden and other countries. The aim of the activity at the centre has been to gather a group of physicists of high inter¬national level who should have the possibility to work and cooperate under favorable conditions. The interaction with the Norwegian scientists has been an important aspect of the activity, and of particular importance has been to involve younger physicists. There have been three Norwegian PhD students, one (German) postdoc and a young scientist from Eastern Europe (Mashkevich) engaged in the program. An important aim has been to organize the activity so that there should be an continued effect of the activity beyond the the year of the program. The intention is to follow up the contacts which have been established in the coming years. A physics program financed by the Norwegian Research Council entititled Quantum phenomena in low-dimensional systems will be an important element in this continued activity.

End Report

In recent years, there has been a high degree of interest for the field of quantum phenomena of low-dimensional systems. The main reason for the interest has been the discovery of the quantum Hall effect and high temperature superconductivity. In both cases, the main dynamics is believed to be due to the quasi-two dimensionality of the electron systems. From the theoretical point of view there are many interesting and intriguing aspects which are due to the reduced dimensionality. At an early stage, Norwegian physicists have been engaged in theoretical study of these effects, partly motivated by the discovery of Myrheim and Leinaas that fractional statistics, which interpolate between Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics, is a theoretical possibility in two- and one-dimensional systems. In recent years, this work has been followed up in a co-operation between Norwegian physicists and physicists from Sweden and other countries.

The aim of the activity at CAS has been to gather a group of physicists of high international level who should have the possibility to work and cooperate under favourable conditions. The interaction with the Norwegian scientists has been an important aspect of the activity, and of particular importance had been to involve younger physicists. An important aim has been to organize the activity so that there should be a continued effect of the activity beyond the year of the program. The intention is to follow up in the coming years the contracts which have been established. A physics program financed by the Norwegian Research Council entitled Quantum phenomena in low-dimensional systems will be an important element in this continued activity.

The participants have all expressed their satisfaction with the activities at the Centre during our stay. The intentions of the Centre to create a good environment for free research seems to have functioned well for the physics group. The results of the research has followed as a natural consequence of the activities and co-operations in the group.

An important aspect of the activity that should be emphasized is the Centre’s administration. Unn Hagen, with the help of Marit Strøm, has with great competence and friendliness helped the physics group administrate and organize its activities.

Fellows

  • Arovas, Daniel Paul
    Associate Professor University of California, San Diego 1995/1996
  • Canright, Geoffrey St. John
    Professor University of Tennessee 1995/1996
  • Hansson, Thors Hans
    Professor Stockholm University 1995/1996
  • Issakov, Serguei
    Dr. Institute of Medical Radiology 1995/1996
  • Kjønsberg, Heidi
    - 1995/1996
  • Kristoffersen, Anders
    - Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) 1995/1996
  • Lindström, Ulf Gustaf
    Professor Uppsala University 1995/1996
  • Maciotek, Anna Maria
    Dr. Polish Academy of Science 1995/1996
  • Mashkevich, Stefan Vladimirovich
    Research Fellow Kiev State University 1995/1996
  • Olaussen, Kåre
    Professor Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) 1995/1996
  • Ouvry, Stephane
    - 1995/1996
  • Polychronakos, Alexios
    Professor City College of New York 1995/1996
  • Varnhagen, Raimund Heinz
    - 1995/1996
  • Viefers, Susanne F.
    Associate Professor University of Oslo (UiO) 1995/1996

Group leader

  • Jon Magne Leinaas

    Title Professor Institution University of Oslo (UiO) Year at CAS 1995/1996
  • Jan Myrheim

    Title Professor Institution Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Year at CAS 1995/1996
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