MIT Center for Theoretical Physics

The MIT Center for Theoretical Physics (CTP) is the hub of theoretical nuclear physics, particle physics, and quantum information research at MIT. It is a subdivision of MIT Laboratory for Nuclear Science and Department of Physics.

MIT Center for Theoretical Physics
Field of research
Theoretical physics
DirectorIain Stewart
FacultyAlan Guth
Frank Wilczek
Peter Shor
Max Tegmark
Jeffrey Goldstone
LocationCambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Operating agency
MIT
Frank Wilczek
Steven Weinberg

Research

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CTP activities range from string theory and cosmology at the highest energies down through unification and beyond-the-standard-model physics, through the standard model, to QCD, hadrons, quark matter, and nuclei at the low energy scale.

Members of the CTP are also currently working on quantum computation and on energy policy. The breadth and depth of research in nuclear, particle, string, and gravitational physics at the CTP makes it a unique environment for researchers in these fields.

Members

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In addition to the 15 MIT faculty members working in the CTP, at any one time there are roughly a dozen postdoctoral fellows, and as many, or more, long-term visitors working at the postdoctoral or faculty level. The CTP supports 25-35 MIT graduate students, who work with the faculty and postdocs on problems across the energy spectrum.

Current research areas in the center include particle physics, cosmology, string theory, phenomenology in and beyond the standard model, quantum field theory, lattice QCD, condensed matter physics, quantum computing, and energy research.

Notable current faculty include Nobel Laureate Frank Wilczek, Jeffrey Goldstone, inflationary cosmologist Alan Guth, cosmologist Max Tegmark, and quantum information scientist Peter Shor.[1] Past CTP faculty members include US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, Breakthrough Prize winner Daniel Freedman, particle theorist and author Lisa Randall, and many others.

Directors

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Faculty

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Current and former faculty members in the CTP include:[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Center for Theoretical Physics | Laboratory for Nuclear Science".
  2. ^ "MIT Department of Physics". web.mit.edu. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
  3. ^ "MIT CTP at 50" (PDF).
  4. ^ "CTP at 50 Program" (PDF).
  5. ^ "Breakthrough Prize – Winners Of The 2021 Breakthrough Prizes In Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics And Mathematics Announced". breakthroughprize.org. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  6. ^ "Breakthrough Prize – Fundamental Physics Breakthrough Prize Laureates – Daniel Harlow". breakthroughprize.org. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
  7. ^ "Kerson Huang, professor emeritus of physics, dies at 88". MIT News. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
  8. ^ "2016 Herman Feshbach Prize in Theoretical Nuclear Physics Recipient". American Physical Society. 2016.
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