Robert Pfeifer

Research Interests

I study the application of tensor network algorithms to condensed matter systems, with particular interest in scale-invariant systems, and in systems exhibiting particles with exotic statistics, such as anyons. I am also currently developing an analogue model for the gravitational interaction using concepts from condensed matter physics.

Positions Held

• Affiliate Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institute for Quantum Computing, University of Waterloo
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Australia (2011)

Awards

• Dean's Award for Research Higher Degree Excellence, The University of Queensland, Australia

Recent Publications

• R. N. C. Pfeifer, O. Buerschaper, S. Trebst, A. W. W. Ludwig, M. Troyer, and G. Vidal, Translation invariance, topology, and protection of criticality in chains of interacting anyons, Physical Review B, 86(15), 155111, Oct 2012. arxiv: 1005.5486
• Robert N. C. Pfeifer, Classification of topological symmetry sectors on anyon rings, Physical Review B, 85(24), 245126, June 2012. arxiv: 1103.0159
• R. N. C. Pfeifer, T. A. Nieminen, N. R. Heckenberg, and H. Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Optical tweezers and paradoxes in electromagnetism, Journal of Optics, 13(4), 044017, April 2011
• S. Singh, R. N. C. Pfeifer, and G. Vidal, Tensor network states and algorithms in the presence of a global U(1) symmetry, Physical Review B, 83(11), 115125, March 2011. arxiv: 1008.4774
• S. Singh, R. N. C. Pfeifer, and G. Vidal, Tensor network decompositions in the presence of a global symmetry, Physical Review A, 82(5), 050301(R), Nov 2010. arxiv: 0907.2994
• G. Evenbly, R. N. C. Pfeifer, V. Pico, S. Iblisdir, L. Tagliacozzo, I. P. McCulloch, and G. Vidal, Boundary quantum critical phenomena with entanglement renormalization, Physical Review B, 82(16), 116107, Oct 2010. arxiv: 0912.1642
• R. N. C. Pfeifer, P. Corboz, O. Buerschaper, M. Aguado, M. Troyer, and G. Vidal, Simulation of anyons with tensor network algorithms, Physical Review B, 82(11), 115126, Sept 2010. Republished in Virtual Journal of Nanoscale Science & Technology 22(15), Oct 2010, and Virtual Journal of Quantum Information 10(10), Oct 2010. arxiv: 1006.3532
• Sukhwinder Singh, Robert N. C. Pfeifer, Guifre Vidal, Tensor network states and algorithms in the presence of a global U(1) symmetry, Physical Review B, 83(11), 115125, March 2011. arxiv: 1008.4774
• Robert N. C. Pfeifer, Philippe Corboz, Oliver Buerschaper, Miguel Aguado, Matthias Troyer, Guifre Vidal, Simulation of anyons with tensor network algorithms, Physical Review B, 82(11), 115126, Sept 2010. arxiv: 1006.3532
• Sukhwinder Singh, Robert N. C. Pfeifer, Guifre Vidal, Tensor network decompositions in the presence of a global symmetry, Physical Review A, 82(5), 050301, Oct 2010. arxiv: 0907.2994
• R. N. C. Pfeifer, G. Evenbly, and G. Vidal, Entanglement renormalization, scale invariance, and quantum criticality, Physical Review A, 79(4), 040301(R), April 2009. Republished in Virtual Journal of Quantum Information 9(4), April 2009, and Virtual Journal of Nanoscale Science & Technology 19(16), April 2009. arxiv: 0810.0580
• R. N. C. Pfeifer, T. A. Nieminen, N. R. Heckenberg, and H. Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Constraining Validity of the Minkowski Energy--Momentum Tensor, Physical Review A, 79(2), Feb 2009, 023813. arxiv: 0902.2605
• Robert N. C. Pfeifer, Glen Evenbly, Guifre Vidal, Entanglement renormalization, scale invariance, and quantum criticality, Physical Review A, 79(4), 040301(R), April 2009. arxiv: 0810.0580
• R. N. C. Pfeifer, T. A. Nieminen, N. R. Heckenberg, and H. Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Colloquium: Momentum of an electromagnetic wave in dielectric media, Reviews of Modern Physics, 79(4), 1197-1216, Oct 2007. arxiv: 0710.0461
• R. N. C. Pfeifer and T. A. Nieminen, Visualization of Cherenkov radiation and the fields of a moving charge, European Journal of Physics, 27(3), 521-529, May 2006. arxiv: physics/0602061
• R. N. C. Pfeifer, Failure of normal glycaemic regulation in a patient with severe hypothermia, Resuscitation, 68(1), 139-142, Jan 2006
• R. N. C. Pfeifer, Analogue gravity in an SU(3) quantum spin liquid, arxiv: 0805.3819
• R. N. C. Pfeifer, T. A. Nieminen, N. R. Heckenberg, and H. Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Two controversies in classical electromagnetism, Proc. SPIE 6326, 63260H, Sept 2006

Seminars

• Understanding Anyons. The University of Queensland International Workshop on Tensor Networks, Bribie Island, Australia
• Optical torques in dielectric media. Rank Prize Mini-Symposium "The Push or Pull of Optical Momentum?"
• Angular momentum density and the Abraham--Minkowski controversy. Congress of the Australian Institute of Physics
• Can gravitational shielding explain galactic rotation curves? Annual Scientific Meeting of the Astronomical Society of Australia
• PIRSA:11060007, Introduction to Tensor Network Algorithms IV
• PIRSA:11060006, Introduction to Tensor Network Algorithms III
• PIRSA:11060005, Introduction to Tensor Network Algorithms II
• PIRSA:11060004, Introduction to Tensor Network Algorithms I
• PIRSA:11010110, Simulation of Anyons Using Tensor Network Algorithms, Condensed Matter seminar series
• PIRSA:10050019, Interacting Fibonacci anyons and defects in conformal field theory, Perimeter Institute Quantum Discussions series