Fundamental mathematical structures in statistical and quantum systems

Solvable models in statistical mechanics and field theory give deep insights into the cooperative behaviour of strongly correlated quantum systems, as well as leading to fascinating mathematics. The chief and partner investigators have been at the forefront of this field for many years. In this project they aim to address a number of exciting mathematical problems arising from (i) models of conformal field theory with boundary interaction describing quantum impurities and quantum dots and from (ii) remarkable but unexplained connections of solvable models in statistical mechanics to field and string theories in high energy physics.