COLLOQUIUM 2025
Physics Meets Geometry: a fuzzy sphere Odyssey in critical phenomena
| Speaker | Yin-Chen He, Stony Brook University, USA |
| Date/Time | Wednesday, 13 Aug, 3pm |
| Location | S11-02-07 |
| Host | Asst/Prof Zou Liujun |
Abstract
Historically, the synergy between physics and geometry, from the time of Archimedes and Newton to the era of Einstein, has repeatedly catalyzed breakthroughs in physics and mathematics. In this presentation, we will explore a new narrative in which physics and geometry intertwine. Specifically, I will discuss how non-commutative geometry—a mathematical framework born from the insights of physicists—offers fresh perspectives on long-standing challenges in physics, notably the phase transitions of both classical and quantum states of matter. Furthermore, I will highlight its broader implications, showcasing its potential influence across various areas of physics, from the enigmas of quantum matter to quantum field theories.
Biography
Yin-Chen He is an assistant professor at the C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics (YITP) at Stony Brook University. Before joining YITP in 2025, Yin-Chen was at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, where he spent seven years (2018–2025) as a permanent faculty member. He is now a Distinguished Visiting Research Chair at the Perimeter Institute. He received a B.S. and a Ph.D. in Physics from Fudan University, Shanghai, China. After his Ph.D., he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Complex Systems in Dresden (2014–2016) and Harvard (2016–2018).
Yin-Chen He works on condensed matter theory and quantum field theory, with a particular interest in 3D conformal field theories (CFTs) and their applications in condensed matter physics (e.g., quantum criticality, spin liquids). He enjoys both theoretical research and numerical simulations (i.e. DMRG and the conformal bootstrap).