Martin Gelfand

Condensed Matter Theory

The theorist's toolbox has always included a pencil and paper, but over the past few decades computer programs have become an increasingly important supplements to traditional methods of calculation. Our efforts have been primarily addressed to computationally intensive numerical studies of simple models relevant to physical systems in which disorder and/or quantum fluctuations play a central role. Such systems include some of the most exciting recent developments in condensed matter physics: superconducting fullerides (compounds containing "buckyballs"), quantum antiferromagnets (most notably in the context of high temperature superconductivity), and the quantum Hall effect. The relevant models are often simple to formulate, but to solve them in any sense is a challenge.

My present interests are mostly in the area of superconductivity, and in particular trying to understand some results that have come out of Prof. Stuart Field's laboratory.

Selected Publications

• D G Steffen and M P Gelfand, "Longitudinal and Hall conductances in model alkali fullerides A₃C₆₀," Phys. Rev. B 69, 115109(9) (2004).

• D J Priour, M P Gelfand, and S L Sondhi, "Disorder from disorder in a strongly frustrated transverse-field Ising chain," Phys. Rev. B 64, 134424(7) (2001).

• M P Gelfand and R R P Singh, "High Order Convergent Expansions for Quantum Many Particle Systems," Adv. in Phys. 49, 93 (2000).

• M P Gelfand and E F Gloeggler, "Local susceptibilities in semi-infinite antiferromagnetic chains: elementary perspectives," Phys. Rev. B 55, 11372 (1997).

• Z-P Shi, R R P Singh, M P Gelfand, and Z Wang, "Phase Transitions in the Symmetric Kondo Lattice Model in Two and Three Dimensions," Phys. Rev. B 51, 15630 (1995).