Annual Report 2006

Summary

The 2006 Annual Report of the Dutch Research School of Theoretical Physics (DRSTP) presents an overview of research highlights, PhD training programmes, scientific activities, and administrative data across participating theoretical physics institutes in the Netherlands. Key research highlights feature chiral tunneling and Klein paradox in graphene and non-equilibrium mechanics in active biopolymer gels. The report also compiles comprehensive directories of scientific staff, publications, seminars, funding sources, and postgraduate statistics.

Title Page

ANNUAL REPORT 2006

Dutch Research School of Theoretical Physics (DRSTP) Landelijke Onderzoekschool voor Theoretische Natuurkunde (LOTN)

Visiting address: Minnaert building Leuvenlaan 4 3584 CE Utrecht

Postal address: P.O. Box 80.195 3508 TD Utrecht the Netherlands

tel.: +31 (0)30 2535916 fax: +31 (0)30 2535937 e-mail: [email protected] website: http://www1.phys.uu.nl/drstp/

Preface

This is the Annual Report 2006 of the Dutch Research School of Theoretical Physics (DRSTP). It provides an overview of the educational and research activities during 2006, intended for a broad spectrum of interested parties. The report also presents two research highlights written by staff members of the Research School. In addition, it offers a wealth of factual information, such as a list of the participating staff, of the PhD students, a comprehensive list of publications, as well as other relevant statistics.

The annual report is not the only information that we make available throughout the year. We also publish a monthly newsletter and a yearly guide of our educational activities. Up-to-date information on the DRSTP is also readily available on internet at: http://www1.phys.uu.nl/drstp/.

Finally, we should like to thank all of those who contributed to the Research School during this past year.

prof. dr. B. de Wit Scientific director

prof. dr. K. Schoutens Chair governing board

August 2007

Contents

1 The DRSTP in 2006 - 7 2 Scientific highlights - 11 3 PhD programme - 19 3.1 Educational programme - 19 3.1.1 DRSTP postgraduate courses (AIO/OIO schools) - 19 3.1.2 Guest lecturers - 20 3.2 PhD degrees and subsequent employment - 21 3.3 PhD degrees granted in the DRSTP in 2006 - 21 3.4 Other PhDs advised by DRSTP staff - 36 3.5 DRSTP PhD students (31 December 2006) - 36 3.6 Scientific and educational activities of PhD students in Quantum Field Theory and Elementary Particle Physics (theme 1) - 42 3.7 Scientific and educational activities of PhD students in Statistical Physics, Condensed-Matter Theory and Quantum Optics (theme 2) - 47 4 Scientific staff (31-12-2006) - 55 4.1 Permanent staff - 55 4.2 Temporary staff (31-12-2006) - 57 4.3 Associate members - 58 5 Academic publications - 59 5.1 Theme 1: Quantum field theory and elementary particle physics - 59 5.2 Theme 2: Statistical physics, condensed-matter theory and quantum optics - 66 6 Scientific activities - 77 6.1 Theme 1: Quantum field theory and elementary particle physics - 77 6.2 Theme 2: Statistical physics, condensed-matter theory and quantum optics - 88 7 Science-related activities - 99 7.1 Professional publications - 99 7.2 Other publications - 100 7.3 Public lectures - 101 7.4 Other contributions - 102 8 Research funding - 107 8.1 Personal grants - 107 8.2 FOM funding - 108 8.3 EU-networks - 112 8.4 ESF - 114 8.5 Other - 114 9 Organisation DRSTP 2006 - 117 10 Addresses - 119 Appendix A Mission Statement - 123 Appendix B Selection and supervision procedure of PhD students - 126 Appendix C Postgraduate AIO/OIO schools - 128 Appendix D National seminars - 133 Appendix E Symposia - 136 Appendix F Statistics - 139

1 The DRSTP in 2006

The Netherlands has a long tradition in theoretical physics which involves research performed at university institutes, industrial laboratories, and government institutions. The strength of this research area is, for a large part, based on the unity of methods employed in a wide range of applications. This reveals itself both in scientific research as well as in academic education.

In order to structure and coordinate the graduate education in theoretical physics, the Dutch Research School of Theoretical Physics (DRSTP) was accredited in 1994 by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and reaccredited in 1999 and 2004. The school is, at this moment, a cooperation between the theoretical physics groups of six Dutch universities: Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VUA), University of Groningen (RUG), Leiden University (UL), Radboud University Nijmegen (RU) and Utrecht University (UU, commissioner). In addition, there are several associated groups and individual researchers.

The main objectives of the Dutch Research School of Theoretical Physics are to implement a joint programme of graduate education in theoretical physics and to maintain and strengthen research in theoretical physics from a broad unifying perspective that exploits the interrelationships between different fields of theory. The DRSTP is based on the conviction that a joint venture of all the moderately sized local theory groups, each with its own profile, offers added value for the achievement of these objectives. The current version of the mission statement and a short description of the DRSTP organization can be found in appendix A.

The DRSTP graduate programme in 2006 As part of the research training, under supervision of a member-scientist of a participating university, the Research School guarantees a wide range of educational opportunities for its PhD students. These consist of postgraduate schools, advanced courses, seminars and topical courses in the Netherlands, and international experience in the form of workshops, summer schools or extended research visits abroad. As in previous years the educational board published the educational guide with an overview of the regular advanced courses taught at the universities.

In 2006 nineteen students obtained their PhD. The average time between the start of the research and the date of the PhD exam is 48,0 months. In reaction to comments in the reaccreditation report of the ECOS (KNAW) the rules for the admission of students to the DRSTP have become more strict. In this admission procedure, the so-called “agreement of education and guidance” (plan for training and supervision) plays a crucial role. The selection and admission procedure is described in appendix B.

The DRSTP research programme Theoretical physics is based on universal principles. New concepts often have a much wider validity than for the field where they were initially discovered, and methods of description developed in one field are often fruitful in another. Hence, theoretical physics is characterized by unity in diversity. The research programme of the DRSTP is organized according to two themes: • Theme 1: Quantum field theory and elementary particle physics. • Theme 2: Statistical physics, condensed-matter theory and quantum optics.

To give an impression of the variety of research topics, two highlights are presented in chapter 2. The specific content of the research programme depends on the responsible project leaders, on their creativity as well as their success in acquiring research funding from their home university, the Dutch research councils of NWO, or from international sources such as European Union programmes.

The 2006 research output of DRSTP members presented in this annual report is presented according to the two research themes.

Staff mutations in 2006 Dr. G.T. Barkema was appointed as an adjunct professor of Computational Statistical Physics of (Bio)polymers at Leiden University on behalf of the “Stichting Physica” in March 2006. Dr. R. Duine was appointed as assistant professor at the Institute for Theoretical Physics (UU) in September 2006. Prof. dr. L.F. Feiner (Philips) resigned as adjunct professor at the Institute for Theoretical Physics (UU) on January 1, 2006. This ended his affiliation with the DRSTP. Prof. dr. D. Lenstra became Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science at the Technical University Delft in November 2006. This ended his affiliation with the DRSTP.

New member DRSTP Advisory Board In 2006 prof. dr. David Nelson (Harvard University) became a new member of the advisory board of the DRSTP. David Nelson’s research focuses on collective effects in the physics and chemistry of condensed matter. His current interests also include vortex physics, the statistical mechanics of polymers, topological defects on frozen topographies and biophysics.

Guest chairs Also in 2006 staff members and PhD students profited from the presence of world renowned physicists appointed on the guests chairs. Prof. dr. A.V. Ashtekar (Penn State Univ.) occupied the Kramers Chair at Utrecht University. He taught a lecture course on Black holes in fundamental physics. Prof. dr. D.R. Nelson (Harvard University) occupied the Lorentz Chair at Leiden University. He taught a lecture course on Topics in statistical biophysics and quantitative biology. Prof. dr. M. Roček (SUNY, Stony Brook) occupied the Van der Waals Chair at the Universiteit van Amsterdam. He taught a lecture course on Supersymmetry and supergravity.

Awards and distinctions C.W.J. Beenakker (UL) was awarded the Akzo-Nobel Science Award 2006 in Haarlem, the Netherlands on 30 November 2006. W.J.P. Beenakker (RU) was awarded the ‘Onderwijsprijs Natuurkunde en Sterrenkunde 2006’ at the Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands on 6 September 2006. L. Huijse (UvA) was awarded the Pieter Zeeman Scriptieprijs 2005-2006 for the best Master Thesis in Physics at the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in 2005 and 2006 by the Pieter Zeeman Foundation, entitled: The information loss paradox, supervisor: Prof. dr. J. de Boer, August 2005. J.H. Koch was awarded the title ‘Docent of the year 2005 - 2006’ of the OWI Exact Sciences (FNWI), University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. P. Machado (UU) received the Yuval Neeman Diploma at the 44th International School of Subnuclear Physics, Ettore Majorana Centre, Erice, Italy which was held from 29 August to 7 September 2006. H.T.C. Stoof (UU) was elected Fellow of the American Physical Society ‘for pioneering contributions to the many-body theory of ultracold atomic gases, and especially for the development of the theory of Feshbach resonances in strongly interacting Bose and Fermi gases’ on 14 November 2006. G. ‘t Hooft (UU) received an Honorary Doctor Degree at the ‘Instituto Universitario de Fisica Fundamental y Matematicas’ of the University of Salamanca in Spain on 26 May 2006. J. Zaanen (UL) was awarded the NWO/Spinoza Prize 2006 in Den Haag, the Netherlands on 29 November 2006.

“DRSTP-Young” symposium On 26 and 27 October 2006 the DRSTP-Young symposium “The Future of Theoretical Physics in the Netherlands” was held in Conference center De Bergse Bossen in Driebergen. The participants made a number of recommendations concerning the future of the DRSTP to the governing board. For the program of the meeting, see appendix E.

Visiting scientists (long term) S. Alexandrov (Montpellier) was a guest at the Institute for Theoretical Physics (UU) from 20 January to 16 July. R. Brito Lopez (Univ. Madrid) was a guest at the Institute for Theoretical Physics (UU) from 5 July to 8 August. R. Capozza (University of Modena, Italy) was a guest at the Radboud University (RU) for collaboration within the HCP-Europe framework for a period of two months. A. Drzewinski (Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland) was a guest at Instituut-Lorentz for Theoretical Physics (UL) from 1 May until 31 May. M. Hübscher (Un. Autonoma de Madrid, Spain) was a guest at the Centre for Theoretical Physics (RUG) from September until December. V. Irkhin (Moscow State University, Russia) was a guest at the Radboud University Nijmegen (RU) in the context of the NWO framework (Russian-Dutch collaboration) in October and November. P. Machado was a guest at the Institute for Theoretical Physics (UU) from 1 January 2006 to 1 January 2007. A. Mukherjee (Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India) was a guest at the Instituut-Lorentz for Theoretical Physics (UL) from 1 May until 31 July. S.I. Mukhin (Moscow Institute for Steel and Alloys, Moscow, Russia) was a guest at the Instituut-Lorentz for Theoretical Physics (UL) from 25 January to 25 February.

This annual report is organized as follows. Chapter 2 contains two scientific highlights. Chapter 3 gives a description of the educational programme, short summaries of the PhD theses published in 2006, an overview of the scientific and educational activities of the PhD students affiliated to the DRSTP. An overview of the DRSTP scientific staff and associate members is given in chapter 4. The chapters 5, 6, 7 contain, respectively, the 2006 publications, talks and other presentations and science-related activities (public lectures, professional publications). Data on research funding are listed in chapter 8.

2 Scientific Highlights

2 Scientific highlights

This chapter presents two highlights of theoretical research carried out by members of the Research School. One concerns work on graphene, a recently discovered allotrope of carbon. This work belongs to condensed matter physics, one of the topics in theme 2 of the school. The contribution has been written by Mikhail Katsnelson. Also the second highlight belongs to theme 2 and deals with non-equilibrium behaviour in active gels and living cells. This contribution has been written by Fred MacKintosh.

Chiral tunneling and the Klein paradox in graphene (Mikhail Katsnelson, RU)

The physics understanding of our world is based on two rather strange theories, the relativity theory and the quantum mechanics. Many concepts that underpin these theories are very subtle and, sometimes, completely contradict to a “common sense”. Examples of such paradoxes are the “twin paradox” in the relativity theory and the famous “Schrödinger cat” in quantum mechanics, which are widely discussed now not only in scientific and philosophical literature but also have found their way to science fiction and movies.

Even deeper paradoxes appear if these two great theories are combined into the relativistic quantum mechanics or quantum electrodynamics (QED). It was proposed by British physicist Paul Dirac eighty years ago. In quantum mechanics, electron is neither wave nor particle but, at least, it is a well-defined individual entity. In QED, an electron is an excitation of some mysterious field (or vacuum) unifying electrons with their antipodes, positrons. In normal quantum mechanics, we can measure accurately either position of the electron or its velocity but not both of them simultaneously. In relativistic quantum mechanics, we cannot measure even the electron position with arbitrary accuracy since, when we try to do this, we create electron-positron pairs from the vacuum and we cannot distinguish our original electron from these newly created electrons. In quantum mechanics, electrons can propagate through classically impenetrable barriers (so-called tunneling effect that is widely used in modern electronics). In this case, the higher the barrier the smaller its quantum transparency. In QED, the quantum tunneling phenomenon takes an even more unexpected and seemingly absurd turn: even very high and very broad barriers can become completely transparent for electrons. This conclusion from the Dirac theory was reached by Swedish physicist Oscar Klein in the late 1920’s and is now known as the “Klein paradox”. However, in practical terms, this paradox can be relevant - either fortunately or unfortunately - only for such exotic situations as the collisions of super-heavy nuclei or evaporation of black holes, and it was never observed or even attempted to observe experimentally.

It was predicted that this amazing phenomenon can in fact be observed and investigated experimentally in a relatively simple bench-top experiment using a recently discovered new allotrope of carbon, graphene [1]. In this one-atom-thick layer of carbon, electrons behave as ultrarelativistic particles and are accurately described by the Dirac theory, and the conditions required for the Klein paradox are readily achievable. This work further develops a new paradigm, where fundamental physical processes that happen in the universe and unreachable even for the largest modern elementary particle accelerators, can now be simulated in graphene. In graphene, charge carriers have the energy spectrum typical for ultrarelativistic Dirac quantum particles. The Klein paradox should therefore be very important for the propagation of charge carriers through potential barriers. In particular, a standard scheme used for transistors made from conventional semiconductors will therefore not work properly for graphene. At the same time, the charge carriers in bilayer graphene demonstrate a new type of tunneling which is different from both standard nonrelativistic tunnel effect and the Klein tunneling. The predicted behavior may be important for electronics. In particular, it opens a way to use the bilayer graphene to build carbon-based transistors. [1] M.I. Katsnelson, K.S. Novoselov and A.K. Geim, Nature Physics 2, 620 (2006).

Non-equilibrium mechanics and fluctuations in active gels and living cells (Fred MacKintosh, VUA)

The cytoplasm/interior of living cells is a highly dynamic environment, in which motion is governed by the competing effects of active processes and ever-present thermal fluctuations that are important at the cellular scale of micrometers. Active processes within cells are often governed by motion and force generation due to molecular motors, small proteins that generate forces using biochemical energy. Such active processes usually lead to directed movement. While many details of molecular motor activity are well understood at the single-molecule level, much less is known about how such motors act cooperatively within the cell. In an experimental and theoretical collaboration, Daisuke Mizuno, Catherine Tardin, and Fred MacKintosh at the VU, together with Christoph Schmidt, at Georg-August-Universität (Göttingen), have designed and constructed an in vitro model system that demonstrates important characteristics of cytoplasmic dynamics. This work was published in Science [1].

The mechanics of living cells are largely governed by their mechanical framework, the cytoskeleton, which is a nonequilibrium composite material including filamentous protein polymers and motor proteins. As materials, in vitro networks of cytoskeletal filaments have been shown to have interesting and unusual mechanical properties, including a highly non-linear elastic response. While there has been much progress in recent years separately on the equilibrium mechanics of biopolymer networks and the single-molecule properties of molecular motors, little is known about the collective properties of networks that include active force generation. This work shows how motor activity can radically alter the material properties of biopolymer networks stiffening them by up to a factor of 100, in accord with theory.

Active gels Cellular cytoskeletal networks are far from equilibrium materials, due in large part to molecular motors that exert internal forces within the networks, which presents a challenge for quantitative statistical/thermodynamic modeling. This work also demonstrates pronounced low-frequency, non-equilibrium fluctuations. Such systems are examples of active gels, which are the focus of a growing sub-field within soft matter physics. The theoretical model developed here is based on known non-linear elastic properties of biopolymer networks, together with fluctuating forces due to motor activity. It is shown that the unbinding of motor proteins naturally results in a characteristic spectrum of colored noise that can be distinguished from thermal fluctuations by its spectrum.

The fluctuation-dissipation theorem and non-equilibrium fluctuations A quantitative description of the function of cells and their complex machineries requires a combination of a biochemical molecular approach with a statistical and thermodynamic one. However, since it is a defining property of living systems to be out of thermodynamic equilibrium, classical methods have to be extended to account for this. This work shows how non-equilibrium motor activity controls the mechanical properties of a simple three-component in vitro model of the cytoskeleton. The non-equilibrium origin of this active mechanical control is demonstrated by a violation of a fundamental theorem of statistical physics, the fluctuation-dissipation (FD) theorem, which links thermal fluctuations of arbitrary systems to their response to external perturbations. This FD theorem is a generalization of Einsteins famous description of Brownian motion. While it is only valid in equilibrium, its possible generalizations to out-of-equilibrium systems, ranging from granular materials to living cells has been hotly debated. Prior studies in cells have suggested violations of the FDT, although no direct test has so far been possible. These experiments show that the non-equilibrium fluctuations only appear at low frequency, consistent with the theoretical prediction of colored noise, varying inversely with the square of the frequency, due to molecular motors.

Implications for living cells and synthetic materials Together with experimental colleagues at Harvard (the Weitz group) and AMOLF (Gijsje Koenderink), the implications of these principles, and especially the predicted spectrum of motor fluctuations, are being extended from in vitro systems to living cells. This work has already identified a dominant non-directed, stochastic motion of micron-size contents of the cytoplasm, which is demonstrably non-Brownian in origin and due to cooperative motor activity. This motion is many times faster than diffusion, although its time-dependence, surprisingly, resembles ordinary thermal diffusion.

This work also suggests that cells might be able to rapidly adjust their mechanical properties by contractile motor activity i.e., by flexing their muscles. This model can also form the basis for quantitative design principles for creating synthetic polymeric materials with tunable elastic properties and muscle-like activation.

[1] D. Mizuno, C. Tardin, C.F. Schmidt, F.C. MacKintosh, Nonequilibrium mechanics of active cytoskeletal networks, Science, 315:370 (2007). [2] F.C. MacKintosh and A.J. Levine, Non-equilibrium mechanics and dynamics of motor-activated gels, arxiv.org/0704.3794.

3 PhD Programme

3 PhD programme

This chapter provides an overview of the educational programme and of the PhD degrees granted in 2006. Research projects of current PhD students and data on their scientific and educational activities in 2006 are given.

The DRSTP offers a joint programme of graduate education leading to a PhD. The educational programme is based in part on the regular advanced courses, seminars and topical courses offered at the participating universities. The DRSTP organizes at least two postgraduate schools every year. Furthermore, students can gain international experience by attending (international) workshops or summer schools and, in certain cases, by making extended research visits abroad. The governing board is advised on educational matters by the educational board. Regular advanced courses at the universities are published in a nationwide survey at the beginning of each academic year.

Seventy (70) PhD students were affiliated with the DRSTP on December 31, 2006. Nineteen (19) PhD students obtained their PhD in 2006. The governing board of the DRSTP decides on admission of individual PhD students and monitors their progress. The affiliation of students is based on the ‘agreement of education and guidance’ (plan for training and supervision), drawn between each individual student and his/her advisor(s). This document is submitted to the governing board before a decision is taken about the formal affiliation. An extended description of the selection and supervision procedure is presented in appendix B of this annual report.

3.1 Educational programme

3.1.1 DRSTP postgraduate courses (AIO/OIO schools) The following courses were held in 2006:

Theoretical High Energy Physics (THEP): Held from 23 January to 3 February 2006 at Hotel & conference center De Bergse Bossen, Driebergen. Organized by M. de Roo (RUG) and R. Timmermans (KVI). Lecturers: G. Arutyunov, D. Boer, B. Schellekens, J.W. van Holten. Evening seminars by B. de Wit and K. Jungmann. 21 participants.
Statistical Physics and Theory of Condensed Matter (SPTCM): Held from 15-19 May 2006 at De Bergse Bossen, Driebergen. Organized by J. van den Brink (UL) and R. van Roij (UU). Lecturers: M. Katsnelson, C. Morais Smith, P. van der Schoot, M. van Hecke. Evening seminar by D. van Delft. 21 participants.

3.1.2 Guest lecturers

Prof. dr. A.V. Ashtekar (Penn State Univ.): Kramers Chair at UU (1 April - 1 June 2006), course on ‘Black holes in fundamental physics’.
Prof. dr. D.R. Nelson (Harvard University): Lorentz Chair at UL (1 May - 1 June 2006), course on ‘Topics in statistical biophysics and quantitative biology’.
Prof. dr. M. Roček (SUNY, Stony Brook): Van der Waals Chair at UvA (1 January - 31 July 2006), course on ‘Supersymmetry and supergravity’.

3.2 PhD degrees and subsequent employment In 2006 nineteen (19) PhD students received their PhD degree: 10 postdoctoral positions, 7 commercial company positions, 1 non-physics research institute scientist, 1 mathematics PhD.

3.3 PhD degrees granted in the DRSTP in 2006

Brendel, K. (UU) - ‘Nucleation in the two-dimensional Ising model’ (advisor: prof. dr. H. van Beijeren, co-advisor: prof. dr. G.T. Barkema, 9 Jan 2006)
Cvetkovic, V. (UL) - ‘Quantum liquid crystals’ (advisor: prof. dr. J. Zaanen, 29 Mar 2006)
Dams, C.J.F. (RU) - ‘Topics in quantum field theory’ (advisor: prof. dr. R.H.P. Kleiss, 13 Jun 2006)
Davidse, M. (UU) - ‘Nonperturbative effects in supergravity’ (advisor: prof. dr. B. de Wit, co-advisor: dr. S. Vandoren, 30 Jan 2006)
Dickerscheid, D.B.M. (UU) - ‘Quantum phases in optical lattices’ (advisors: prof. dr. ir. H.T.C. Stoof, dr. P.J.H. Denteneer, 6 Feb 2006)
Erzgräber, H. (VUA) - ‘Dynamics of delay-coupled semiconductor laser systems’ (advisors: prof. dr. D. Lenstra, prof. dr. B. Krauskopf, 4 Dec 2006)
Juricic, V. (UU) - ‘Field-theoretical studies of a doped Mott insulator’ (advisor: prof. dr. C. Morais Smith, 22 Jun 2006)
Kager, W. (UvA) - ‘Conformally invariant paths in 2D statistical physics. With a guide to Schramm-Löwner evolution’ (advisor: prof. dr. B. Nienhuis, 21 Mar 2006)
Mboyo Esole, J. (UL) - ‘Fayet-Iliopoulos terms and BPS cosmic strings in N = 2 supergravity’ (advisor: prof. dr. A. Achúcarro, 29 Nov 2006)
Michaelis, B.D. (UL) - ‘On dephasing and spin decay in open quantum dots’ (advisor: prof. dr. C.W.J. Beenakker, 16 Nov 2006)
Nobbenhuis, S.J.B. (UU) - ‘The cosmological constant problem; an inspiration for new physics’ (advisor: prof. dr. G. ‘t Hooft, 15 Jun 2006)
Ostojic, S. (UvA) - ‘Statistical mechanics of static granular matter’ (advisor: prof. dr. B. Nienhuis, 28 Sep 2006)
Pijlman, F. (VUA) - ‘Single spin asymmetries and gauge invariance in hard scattering processes’ (advisor: prof. dr. P.J.G. Mulders, 12 Jan 2006)
Qian, X. (UL) - ‘Scaling, clusters and geometry’ (advisor: prof. dr. H.W.J. Blöte, 14 Sep 2006)
Snoek, M. (UU) - ‘Vortex matter and ultracold superstrings in optical lattices’ (advisor: prof. dr. ir. H.T.C. Stoof, 23 Jun 2006)
van Zon, J.S. (VUA) - ‘Stochastic dynamics in sand and cells’ (advisor: prof. dr. F.C. MacKintosh, 24 Mar 2006)
Warringa, H.J. (VUA) - ‘Thermodynamics of QCD-inspired theories’ (advisor: prof. dr. P.J.G. Mulders, co-advisor: dr. D. Boer, 28 Feb 2006)
Westra, D.B. (RUG) - ‘Symmetries in N = 4 supergravities’ (advisor: prof. dr. M. de Roo, 29 Sep 2006)
Zoetekouw, B. (UU) - ‘Phase behavior of charged colloids: many-body effects, charge renormalization and charge regulation’ (advisor: prof. dr. H. van Beijeren, co-advisor: dr. R.H.H.G. van Roij, 8 Sep 2006)

3.4 Other PhDs advised by DRSTP staff

Burmistrov, I.S. (UvA) - ‘Θ renormalization, superuniversality, and electron-electron interactions in the theory of the quantum Hall effect’ (advisor: prof. dr. A.M.M. Pruisken, 24 May 2006)

3.5 DRSTP PhD students (31 December 2006) Lists all active PhD candidates across UvA, VUA, RUG, UL, RU, and UU as of Dec 31, 2006.

4 Scientific Staff (31-12-2006)

4 Scientific staff (31-12-2006)

4.1 Permanent staff (Theme & FTE):

Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA): F.A. Bais (1, 0.50), J.-S. Caux (2, 0.50), J. de Boer (1, 0.50), R.H. Dijkgraaf (1, 0.50), J.H. Koch (1, 0.10), B. Nienhuis (2, 0.50), Th.M. Nieuwenhuizen (2, 0.50), A.M.M. Pruisken (2, 0.50), K. Schoutens (2, 0.50), K. Skenderis (1, 0.50), J. Smit (1, 0.50), L.J. van den Horn (1, 0.25), W.A. van Leeuwen (2, 0.50), E.P. Verlinde (1, 0.50)
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VUA): K. Allaart (2, 0.10), B.L.G. Bakker (1, 0.20), D. Boer (1, 0.25), B. Krauskopf (1, 0.00), F.C. Mackintosh (2, 0.50), P.J.G. Mulders (1, 0.25), J.W. van Holten (1, 0.00), W.L.G.A.M. van Neerven (1, 0.00), T.D. Visser (2, 0.25)
University of Groningen (RUG): E.A. Bergshoeff (1, 0.50), M. de Roo (1, 0.50), E. Pallante (1, 0.50), A.C.D. van Enter (2, 0.50)
Leiden University (UL): A. Achúcarro (1, 0.80), G.T. Barkema (2, 0.00), C.W.J. Beenakker (2, 0.40), H.W.J. Blöte (2, 0.10), P.J.H. Denteneer (2, 0.80), Y. Levin (1, 0.20), G. Nienhuis (2, 0.40), H. Schiessel (2, 0.40), P.J. van Baal (1, 0.80), J. van den Brink (2, 0.40), W.L.G.A.M. van Neerven (1, 0.80), W. van Saarloos (2, 0.40), J. Zaanen (2, 0.80)
Radboud University Nijmegen (RU): W.J.P. Beenakker (1, 0.30), A. Fasolino (2, 0.20), M.I. Katsnelson (2, 0.40), R.H.P. Kleiss (1, 0.30), T.A. Rijken (1, 0.50), A.N.J.J. Schellekens (1, 0.10), J. van den Brink (2, 0.00)
Utrecht University (UU): J. Ambjørn (1, 0.18), G. Arutyunov (1, 0.60), G.T. Barkema (2, 0.60), B. de Wit (1, 0.60), R.A. Duine (2, 0.60), E. Laenen (1, 0.00), R. Loll (1, 0.60), C. Morais Smith (2, 0.60), T. Prokopec (1, 0.60), J. Smit (1, 0.00), H.T.C. Stoof (2, 0.60), G. ‘t Hooft (1, 0.60), H. van Beijeren (2, 0.60), J.E.J.M. van Himbergen (2, 0.00), R.H.H.G. van Roij (2, 0.60), S. Vandoren (1, 0.60)

4.2 Temporary staff (31-12-2006): Postdoctoral and temporary researchers across UvA, VUA, UL, RU, and UU.

4.3 Associate members:

prof. dr. H.A. de Raedt (RUG)
prof. dr. ir. H. Dekker (TNO/UvA/TU/e)
dr. B.J. Hoenders (RUG)
dr. ir. L.P.J. Kamp (TU/e)
prof. dr. J. Knoester (RUG)
prof. dr. D. Lohse (UT)
NIKHEF theory group (Amsterdam)
Theoretical and Polymer Physics Group (TU/e)
prof. dr. R.G.E. Timmermans (KVI)

5 Academic Publications

5 Academic publications

Lists refereed journal publications produced in 2006 by DRSTP researchers across the member universities:

5.1 Theme 1: Quantum field theory and elementary particle physics (UvA, VUA, RUG, UL, RU, UU)
5.2 Theme 2: Statistical physics, condensed-matter theory and quantum optics (UvA, VUA, RUG, UL, RU, UU)

6 Scientific Activities

6 Scientific activities

Comprehensive compilation of conference talks, invited seminars, and lecture courses presented by DRSTP staff and postdocs in 2006:

6.1 Theme 1: Quantum field theory and elementary particle physics
6.2 Theme 2: Statistical physics, condensed-matter theory and quantum optics

7 Science-related activities

Overview of outreach, public engagement, media presence, and professional contributions in 2006:

7.1 Professional publications (e.g. NTvN, Encyclopedia articles)
7.2 Other publications (popular columns in NRC Handelsblad, Folia, books)
7.3 Public lectures
7.4 Other contributions (radio and TV appearances, panel discussions, school lectures)

8 Research Funding

8 Research funding

Detailed breakdown of external grants supporting DRSTP research in 2006:

8.1 Personal grants (University USF/High Potentials, KNAW Fellowships/Professorships, NWO Spinoza, VICI, VIDI, VENI, EU Marie Curie Fellowships)
8.2 FOM funding (Programme lines and Projectruimte grants)
8.3 EU-networks (RTN, MRTN, and NoE projects)
8.4 ESF Programmes (COSLAB, Psi-k, INSTANS)
8.5 Other grants (NWO, STW, INTAS, UU prestige grants)

9 Organisation and Addresses

9 Organisation DRSTP 2006

Governing board: M. de Roo (RUG), R.H.P. Kleiss (RU), F.C. MacKintosh (VUA), K. Schoutens (UvA, chair), H. van Beijeren (UU), J. Zaanen (UL)
Scientific director: B. de Wit (UU)
Managing director: B.C. Meijerman
Bureau: W.L. Verweij
Scientific advisory committee: J. Fröhlich, D. Nelson, S. Sachdev, G. Sawatzky, G. ‘t Hooft, F. Wilczek
Educational board: G.T. Barkema (UU), P.A. Bobbert (TUE), J. de Boer (UvA), P.J.H. Denteneer (UL), A. Fasolino (RU), E. Laenen (NIKHEF), P.J.G. Mulders (VUA, chair), A.C.D. van Enter (RUG), G.C. Stavenga (UU)
PhD students council: M.O de Kok (UL), L. Huijse (UvA), T. Nutma (RUG), G.C. Stavenga (UU), J.W. Wagenaar (RU), E. Wessels (VUA)

10 Addresses Institutional contact addresses for UvA, VUA, RUG, UL, RU, UU, and associated organizations.

Appendices A - F

Appendix A: Mission Statement - Mandate, objectives, graduate programme principles, and institutional roles.

Appendix B: Selection and supervision procedure of PhD students - Application process, agreement of education and guidance, and first-year evaluation protocols.

Appendix C: Postgraduate AIO/OIO schools - Agendas and rosters for Theoretical High Energy Physics and Statistical Physics & Theory of Condensed Matter schools.

Appendix D: National seminars - Programs of seminars hosted across the Netherlands in Condensed Matter Physics, Statistical Physics, and High Energy Physics.

Appendix E: Symposia - DRSTP-Young Symposium 2006 ‘The Future of Theoretical Physics in the Netherlands’.

Appendix F: Statistics - Data for 2001-2006 on PhD degrees granted by theme (Theme 1: 41, Theme 2: 45, Total: 86), PhD completion efficiency (71% finished within 4.5 years), and career destinations following PhD completion (57% postdoc in theoretical physics, 24% commercial companies, 9% academic/public research, 5% government, 2% teaching, 2% other).