"2007 Workshop


Topological Quantum Computation


at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

"2006 Workshop


Topological Phases and Quantum Computation


at the KITP Santa Barbara, CA"

My research focuses primarily on problems in theoretical high-energy physics: from quantum field theory to string theory. I have made interesting excursions though, to adjacent fields like condensed matter theory and physics of the early universe. For a general description I refer to the relevant section of the research program  of the ITFA. I have a longstanding interest in problems concerning topological defects, like fluxes, domain walls, monopoles, skyrmions, instantons etc. and their interactions. In the article "Broken Symmetry Revisited"    we describe what their most important features are and what aspects of these defects have been studied. In the last few years I have been working on a very special type of interactions between defects called "Topological interactions" . In two dimensional physics these lead for example to the realization of anyonic behavior, i.e. the possibility of excitations which exhibit exotic spin and quantum statistics properties. Some simple examples are explained in the article   Exotische spin en statistiek eigenschappen   (yes, in Dutch!). Some introductory accounts may also be found in the Master's theses listed below.

A list of M.Sc theses.

A list of PhD theses.

A list of scientific publications.

Recent articles may also be found on the preprint list of the Instituut voor Theoretische Fysica of the Universiteit van Amsterdam.