Stephen PowellView profile
Associate Professor
Stephen Powell is an Associate Professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Nottingham, where he has been a faculty member since 2013. He is a member of the Condensed Matter Theory group, focusing on theoretical condensed matter physics. 2013–present: University of Nottingham 2012–2013: Assistant Professor, Nordita 2009–2012: JQI Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Maryland, supervisor: Sankar Das Sarma 2007–2009: Postdoctoral Research Assistant, University of Oxford, supervisor: John Chalker 2002–2007: Ph.D., Yale University, adviser: Subir Sachdev 1998–2002: M.Phys., Christ Church, University of Oxford Dr. Powell's research investigates the properties of novel phases of matter, with a focus on understanding unconventional phenomena and the physical systems in which they occur. His primary approach is through the concept of frustration, which describes systems where interactions compete against one another, preventing simple ordered states from forming. Instead, strong correlations and large fluctuations can coexist, leading to exotic phases and phenomena such as "spin liquids," states characterized by topological order and the emergence of fractionalized excitations. His research spans multiple areas including spin ice systems, quantum phase transitions, dimer models, and frustrated magnetic systems. His work often combines analytical techniques with numerical simulations to explore the rich physics of these complex systems. PHYS1001: From Newton to Einstein PHYS4017: Quantum Dynamics PHYS4029: Order, Disorder and Fluctuations MPAGS SM2: Classical and Quantum Phase Transitions (Convenor) Dr. Powell's recent publications show a strong focus on spin ice systems, dimer models, and quantum phase transitions. His work often explores the connections between classical and quantum systems, with particular attention to topological properties and emergent phenomena. The research demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward understanding complex phase transitions and the unusual behavior of frustrated magnetic systems.
