Study Groups

The main purpose of the “iTHEMS-phys” study group is to keep a regular seminar series and sometimes have an intensive lecture or workshop on any topics from all fields of theoretical physics. At RIKEN iTHEMS, we have a variety of researchers working on diverse areas of mathematical sciences from pure mathematicians to biologists. Even if we restrict ourselves to physicists, they cover most research topics in broad areas of theoretical physics; particle and nuclear physics, lattice field theory, astrophysics, cosmology, condensed matter physics, atomic, molecular, and optical physics, statistical physics, and mathematical physics. While they are independently and freely working on their own research topics as specialists, it is also important to promote a strong interaction between all of them. This is because one mainstream, which drives the development of modern physics, is a notion of universality: A fundamental concept in theoretical physics often appears in apparently unrelated areas of physics (and sometimes independently discovered), and yet one has eventually realized their relationship, or universality: One classic example is the Wilson’s renormalization group method, originally developed in the context of critical phenomena in the statistical physics, but it has eventually changed our notion of quantum field theory. Thus, it is crucially useful to have a common activity like regular seminars as a theoretical physics group, which helps us share the prominent ideas from different areas of physics.

We are holding regular seminars and other activities on topics related to biology. Our aim is to lower the boundaries between biology and mathematics/physics, to identify common grounds between biology and mathematics/physics, and to develop ideas for new research topics at the intersection of biology and mathematics or physics.

Quantum Gravity Gatherings will offer an intensive lecture series on various approaches to quantum gravity as an opportunity for people of different generations and disciplines to learn and share ideas.

The goal of this study group is to learn and discuss quantum computation and its related fields from various perspectives, facilitated by fostering interactions among diverse researchers in iTHEMS and RIKEN.

The aim of this study group is to cultivate opportunities for delving into mathematics, encompassing both fundamental principles and their applications in real-world contexts.

Our purpose is to leverage computational and analytical methods to enhance our understanding of health, diseases, treatments, and medical interventions, fostering collaboration within iTHEMS and beyond.