David Poland’s research is focused on quantum field theory and its connection to particle physics, condensed matter physics, and quantum gravity. He has recently been at the forefront of a modern revival of an approach called the conformal bootstrap for constraining and solving conformal field theories in general dimensions. Along with giving a general technique for mapping out the space of conformal field theories, his work has produced the world’s most precise determinations of critical exponents and couplings in the 3D Ising and O(N) vector models, describing phase transitions in fluids, magnets, and numerous other systems in nature.
Here are links to the very recent popular articles which discuss my work on the conformal bootstrap:
- Natalie Wolchover, “Physicists Uncover Geometric ‘Theory Space’ ”, Quanta Magazine (Feb. 23, 2017)
- Gabriel Popkin, “Magnets, boiling kettles and the secret code underlying reality”, New Scientist (Feb. 15, 2017)
- New Scientist article text on Lexisnexis (if New Scientist link above doesn’t work)
Original article can be found at