Scattering Amplitudes and String Theory

Our centre has a rich history in theoretical physics dating back to the 60’s. We are a leading centre in quantum field theory (QFT) and string theory, with pioneering work in scattering amplitudes since 2004.

Our current research interests cover a wide range of topics. On QFT we focus on dualities and string/M-theory including holography; the study of symmetries and hidden structures of amplitudes and QFTs; the study of topological aspects of QFT, combinatorics, correlators and quantum computation. We have also developed strong links to the research pursued by our phenomelogy and experimental colleagues, for example, our research on scattering amplitudes and their mathematical structure includes the exploration of the double copy of amplitudes, the classical double copy and applications of amplitudes to gravitational wave physics. Our work on quantum chromodynamics and collider physics has strong links to particle physics experimental research, and the investigation of black holes in gravity and string theory and the black hole information paradox has strong ties to the astronomy research also pursued in the centre. More recently we have applied ideas from machine learning to problems in physics such as bootstrap of conformal theories, supergravity solutions and string theory vacua, as well as problems outside of physics, such as linguistics.

Illustration of the internal geometry (Calabi-Yau manifold) of string theory models.