Professor Christian Korff
- Professor of Mathematical Physics (Mathematics)
telephone:
01413306198
email:
Christian.Korff@glasgow.ac.uk
R441 - Level 4, Mathematics, The Mathematics & Statistics Building, Glasgow, G12 8SQ
Biography
Before coming to Glasgow in October 2006, I held positions at City University London (2005-6), the University of Edinburgh (2002-2005) and the C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics at Stony Brook, New York (2000-2002). I completed my PhD (theoretical physics) at the Freie Universität Berlin, Germany in 2000.
Research interests
I am interested in areas where algebra and representation theory meet problems arising in physical systems. My research focusses on quantum integrable models connected with solutions of the Yang-Baxter equation. The latter include exactly solvable lattice models in statistical mechanics, quantum many body systems and low dimensional quantum field theories.
For further information please consult my personal website.
https://sites.google.com/view/christiankorff/home
Research groups
Grants
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Integrable models and deformations of vertex algebras via symmetric functions (PI); EPSRC standard research grant (May 2022- April 2026) GBP 278,228
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ICMS conference grant and research support grants from the Glasgow Mathematical Journal Trust and the Edinburgh Mathematical Society (2018) Integrability, Special Functions and Combinatorics, funding for an international conference to be held on the Isle of Skye, June 2019 (joint with Misha Feigin, Glasgow) GBP 25,000
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Royal Society Theo-Murphy Meeting (2018) competitive international scientific meeting scheme funded by the Royal Society of London and held at the Society’s International Research Centre (joint with V. Gorbounov, Aberdeen).
- Quantum integrable systems and infinite dimensional algebras (PI); Royal Society University Research Fellowship (extension 2009-2012) GBP 338,708
- Tropical geometry and integrable systems (PI); EPSRC Mathematical Sciences Small Grant with Chris Athorne (Glasgow, 2011) GBP 22,910
- Discrete integrable systems and the crystal limit of quantum integrable models (Co-I); British Council Cooperation Research Award with the U of Tokyo joint with the ISMP group (Glasgow 2008-11) GBP 37,346
- Geometric Aspects of Discrete and Ultra-discrete Integrable Systems (Co-I); London Mathematical Society grant joint with Jon Nimmo and Claire Gilson (Glasgow, 2009) GBP 4,800
- q-deformed algebras symmetric functions and quantum integrable systems (PI); The Nuffield Foundation, funding for summer project with R Fornear (Glasgow 2008) GBP 1,400
- INSTANS Short Visit Grant (PI); European Science Foundation travel grant to visit J.-S. Caux at U of Amsterdam (Amsterdam, 2008) EUR 706
- Integrable Systems: Linear and Nonlinear Dynamics III (Co-I); EPSRC Mathematical Sciences Small Grant with Ian Strachan (Glasgow, 2007) GBP 10,623
- Lectures on the chiral Potts model by Prof Rinat Kedem (PI); Edinburgh Mathematical Society research grant joint with Robert Weston, Heriot-Watt (Glasgow, 2007) GBP 633
- New developments in correlation functions of integrable lattice models (PI); EPSRC Mathematical Sciences Small Grant (City U, 2005) GBP 5,233
- Quantum integrable systems and infinite dimensional algebras (PI); Royal Society University Research Fellowship (2004-2009) GBP 250,000 (non FEC)
- Affine algebras in integrable models of statistical mechanics and QFT (PI); EPSRC Postdoctoral Fellowship in Mathematics (Edinburgh U, 2002-4) GBP 75,462 (non FEC)
Supervision
Please contact me if you are interested in doing a PhD in mathematical physics, representation theory and related combinatorics.
Applications should be made by mid December each year with funding decisions being made in February. Late applications will be considered if funds are still available: Online application form for prostgraduate students
Once you have submitted your application form send me an e-mail and we can discuss possible projects based on your qualifications and interests.
Potential PhD projects can be found on my personal website.
https://sites.google.com/view/christiankorff/home
Current research students
- Anna Clancy
- Vasilev, Mikhail
Quantum-Classical Duality in Integrable Systems - Vrabec, Martin
Relativistic integrable systems and related structures
Past PhD students
- David Palazzo (2014-2019)
- Bart Vlaar (2007-2011)
- Damian Wierzbicki (2020-23; joint supervision with Sira Gratz)
Master students
- Jamie Payton (MSc 2021-22)
- Jamie Mason (MSc 2019-20)
- Mary Clark (2012-2015)
Teaching
2022-23: Study Leave
2019-2022
- 3H: Methods in Complex Analysis/ 3U: Complex Methods (Semester 2)
- Mathematics 2T: Topics in Discrete Mathematics (Semester 2)
Project supervision
4H projects
I offer projects on algebraic combinatorics. The mathematics involved is similar to what you might have seen in courses such as 2T Discrete Mathematics in second year and Algebra in 3rd year. More specifically,
- the representations of the symmetric group
- symmetric functions and their applications
- the Robinson-Schensted-Knuth correspondence and plane partitions
5H projects
I offer projects at the intersection of algebra (representation theory), enumerative combinatorics and mathematical physics. Examples include:
- the representations of the Hecke and Temperley-Lieb algebras
- the Boson-Fermion correspondence
- two-dimensional quantum field theory
Additional information
- REF2021 Co-Coordinator for the School of Mathematics and Statistics joint with Prof. Marian Scott OBE (Statistics).
- Chair of the Theoretical and Mathematical Physics Goup, Institute of Physics (2010-13)
- Grant reviewer for EPSRC, British Council, Dutch Research Council (NWO), German Research Foundation (DFG)