MCTP-04-35 THE MICHIGAN CENTER FOR THEORETICAL PHYSICS∗ ANNUAL REPORT 2003–2004 M. J. DUFF† Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics Randall Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109–1120, USA Each spring, the Director of The Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics shall present an annual report and submit the MCTP budget for the next fiscal year. This is the fourth. ∗http://www.umich.edu/˜mctp/ †mduff@umich.edu 1 2 Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics Contents 1 Overview 3 1.1 Message from the Director . 3 1.2 Amendment to the Bylaws . 4 1.3 Major external funding . 4 2 Fiscal year: 2003–2004 6 2.1 Conferences and workshops . 6 2.2 Colloquia and Public Lectures . 6 2.3 Visitors . 6 2.4 Postdoctoral Fellows . 10 2.5 Graduate student fellowships . 10 2.6 Undergraduate research scholars . 10 2.7 Successful proposals . 11 2.8 Outreach and media coverage . 12 2.9 The 2003–2004 budget (projected) . 13 3 Fiscal Year: 2004-2005 14 3.1 Conferences and workshops . 14 3.2 Visitors . 14 3.3 Graduate student fellowships . 15 3.4 Undergraduate research scholars . 15 3.5 Postdoctoral fellows . 15 3.6 Successful proposals . 15 3.7 The 2004-2005 budget (projected) . 17 4 Acknowledgments 18 A Actual budget for fiscal year: 2002–2003 19 B Proposal 19 C Bylaws 19 D Membership list 19 D.1 Full members . 19 D.2 Associate members . 21 E Postdocs, graduate students and long-term visitors 23 E.1 Postdocs . 23 E.2 Graduate students . 23 E.3 Long-term visitors . 24 E.4 Computer manager . 24 E.5 Secretaries . 24 F Committees 24 F.1 Executive Committee of the MCTP . 24 F.2 Computing . 24 F.3 Diversity . 24 F.4 Facilities . 24 F.5 Undergraduate research . 25 G Publications 25 Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics 3 1 Overview 1.1 Message from the Director The fiscal year July 2003-June 2004 proved to be an eventful one for the Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics (MCTP). There were six major scientific programs exemplifying the diverse activities of the MCTP: the “Deserfest” workshop in April immediately followed by the “Status of M-theory Theory” conference, the “Dark side of the Universe” workshop in May, the “Ion Trap Quantum Computing” work- shop in May, the “Building Computational Devices using Coherent Control” work- shop in June, a year-long visitor program for young string theorists and a year-long visitor program for Condensed Matter and AMO. It was also a pleasure to host theoretical physicist and author Paul Davies for the month of April. We welcomed three new postdocs: Jason Kumar, UC San Diego (high en- ergy/string theory); Dejan Stokovic, U of Alberta (astrophysics/cosmology); Nicola Petrov, U of Michigan (non-linear dynamics). During the year MCTP members have produced 65 publications in various areas of theoretical physics, bringing the total number of MCTP publcations to 256. These include: * High Energy Physics: String theory, M-theory and D-branes, non-commutative geometry, particle physics phenomenology including CP violation and top quark and Higgs physics, g − 2 and supersymmetry. * Condensed Matter Physics: Critical dynamics, superconductivity, phonon ra- diation, bond percolation, vortex structures. * Relativity and Astrophysics: Gravitational lensing, redshift surveys, X-ray astronomy, black holes, relativistic jets, cosmic inflation and dark energy * Non-linear dynamics: turbulence * Networking: correlations in the internet The list of publications may be found in appendix G. We welcomed two new Full Members this year: Homer Neal and Herbert Win- ful. There are currently 61 Full members from the Departments of Astronomy, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Complex Systems, Materials Science, Mathematics and Physics. We are happy to note that the Full Membership includes several ex- perimental colleagues who take an active interest in theory. In addition there are 57 Associate Members from an even more diverse list of departments within and without Michigan. The membership list is given in Appendix D. 4 Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics We also welcomed a second secretary, Ricah Marquez, who will be working with our current secretary Angela Milliken. Congratulations to the following members for their elections and awards: Marty Einhorn (Guggenheim Fellowship), Charlie Doering (Humboldt Fellowship), Michael Duff, Gordy Kane and Franco Nori (elected Fellows of the Insitute of Physics) and last but not least Phil Bucksbaum (elected to the National Academy of Sciences). According to the bylaws, each spring, the Director of The Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics shall present an annual report and submit the MCTP budget for the next fiscal year. Since the fiscal year runs from July through June, how- ever, this will necessarily be a projection rather than the actual budget. The actual budget will be given in the subsequent annual report. Accordingly, I have included the actual budget for fiscal 2002–2003 (Appendix A), as well projected budgets for 2003–2004 and 2004-2005. The Director’s state-of-the-center summary is deliv- ered annually at the Winter General Meeting. They are available on the web at: http://www.umich.edu/%7Emctp/membership.html At the end of this year, Executive Committee member Bob Savit (Condensed Matter/AMO/Biophysics) will be stepping down to be replaced by Franco Nori, as will Charlie Doering (Interdisciplinary) to be replaced by Anthony Bloch. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bob and Charlie for their helpful advice and hard work over the last two years and to welcome aboard Franco and Anthony. 1.2 Amendment to the Bylaws As mentioned in previous reports, as a result of the early success of the MCTP, the Dean extended the initial funding period an extra 18 months taking us to the end of 2005. At the Winter General Meeting, the MCTP Bylaws were amended (under the two-thirds vote rule) to enable the current Director to serve until the end of that fiscal year, June 30, 2006. 1.3 Major external funding The MCTP has continued with major external funding: a $900,000 Matching Funds Grant for High Energy Theory 2001–2005 from the DOE (PIs Michael Duff, Gor- don Kane and Myron Campbell). These MCTP matching funds (denoted Task T) are separate from, and in addition to, the regular high energy theory DOE grant (denoted Task G). An MCTP sponsored proposal for “Fronts, Fluctuations and Growth” has been approved by NSF for $216,000 for 2002–2005 (PIs Charlie Doering, Joseph Conlon, Len Sander, Peter Smereka and Bob Ziff). The MCTP is providing $160,000 in cost-sharing in the form of graduate student support. An MCTP sponsored proposal “Estimating the Fraction of Solar Systems with Habitable Planets: Effects of Companions on Dynamical Stability and Forma- tion”has been approved by NASA for $166,000 for 2004–2007 (PI Fred Adams). Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics 5 The MCTP is providing $63,000 in cost-sharing in the form of graduate student support. External fundraising efforts began in earnest this year with the involvement of the LS&A Development Office and the publication of a brochure outlining the activities of the center aimed at Alumni and and the general public. It is avail- able electronically on the MCTP website or in hardcopy from Angie Millken amil- [email protected] . One initiative will be the appointment of a “Director’s Council” composed of influential members of the business, media and scientific communities, whose job will be to spread the word on the Center’s activities and provide lead- ership in the development campaign. Interim President Emeritus Homer Neal has kindly lent his support. Outside funding is essential if the MCTP is to grow and evolve. Endowed support is especially important, since these permanently-invested philanthropic gifts enable the Center to support discovery and innovation in a wide range of forms. Those who wish to be part of this exciting endeavor have a number of options available to them. The Center’s development goals include: Month-long workshops convened by experts from around the world $30,000 to $50,000 2-year post-doctoral fellowships, 2-3 needed $100,000 each Scholarships & other graduate student support, 2-3 needed $12,000 each Undergraduate summer research programs, 6 needed $2,000 each National and international conferences $100,000 Visiting faculty, per visitor $10,000 Outreach $10,000 Endowment for the Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics $10,000,000 We welcome outside interest and support. To learn more about contributing to the work of the Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics, we invite you to contact: Peggy Burns University of Michigan Assistant Dean for Advancement College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Maketing & Communications Development Office 524 S. Main Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2921 [email protected] office: (734) 998-7331 fax: (734) 998-6250 6 Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics 2 Fiscal year: 2003–2004 2.1 Conferences and workshops “Deserfest” workshop, April 3-5, 2004 “Status of M-theory” conference, April 6-7, 2004 “The Dark Side of the Universe” workshop, May 10-28, 2004 “Ion Trap Quantum Computing” workshop, May 13-15, 2004 “Building Computational Devices using Coherent Control” workshop, June 7-9, 2004 2.2 Colloquia and Public Lectures In keeping with its interdisciplinary mission, the MCTP hosts not-so-technical Colloquia designed to help us learn more about what our colleagues in other fields are doing. Coffee and cookies are served beforehand. The following were delivered over the last year: “Unveiling the Universe”, Joseph Silk (Oxford University), Tuesday, May 25, 2004. “The New Cosmology and its Challenge to Fundamental Physics”, Mark Trod- den (Syracuse University), Tuesday May 18, 2004. “Event Horizons and the Generalised Second Law of Thermodynamics”, Paul Davies (Macquarie Univerisity), Tuesday April 20, 2004.