Riley Crane
UCLA Department of Physics
Office: B-158 Knudsen
Phone: (310) 206-8151
email
rcrane(at)physics.ucla.edu
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Educational Background: |
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Ph.D., Physics, U.C.L.A. June 2006
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M.S., Physics, U.C.L.A. 2001
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B.S., Physics, University of Texas - Austin, 1995-2000
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S.E.L.F. Diploma, Université de Lyon III, France, 1999
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Research Interest: |
The focus of my current research is on
understanding the dynamics which occur near a Quantum Critical Point.
In general I am interested in studying complex networks, systems near
criticality, and pretty much anything involving fluctuations.
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Quantum Phase Transitions
A quantum phase transition (QPT) is a phase transition between different
quantum phases (phases of matter at zero temperature). Contrary to
classical phase transitions, quantum phase transitions can be only be
accessed by varying a physical parameter - such as magnetic field or
pressure - at absolute zero temperature. The transition describes an
abrupt change in the ground state of a many-body system due to its quantum
fluctuations (wikipedia)
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Fluctuation Superconductivity.
There is a renewed interest in fluctuation superconductivity because of
its possible importance to understanding high-Tc superconductors.
Since these systems are essentially two-dimensional (the Copper-Oxide
planes), fluctuation effects are greatly enhanced. As you begin to
cool a material close to its critical temperature, evanescent Cooper-pairs
pop into existence for a very short time before decaying back into two
electrons. This temporary pairing contributes to the overall
conductivity of the system being measured, which can shed light on the
dynamics.
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Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem applied to social and economic
networks.
There is a general relationship between the response of a system to an
external disturbance and the random internal fluctuations of the system in
the absence of a perturbation. This relationship is captured by the
fluctuation-dissipation theorem, and can surprisingly be applied to
complex social and economic networks in the hope of understanding how
rumors, information, and marketing can percolate through these systems
causing large responses.
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Selected Recent Publications |
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click here for a list of selected recent publications
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