Dynamics of strongly coupled field theories

Non-equilibrium quantum phenomena are of wide importance across several disciplines of physics. Despite their fundamental relevance, few widely applicable principles are known for field theories far from equilibrium.

Gauge-gravity duality is a powerful tool in this respect, as it provides a well-defined first-principles framework to study strongly-coupled field theories in the non-equilibrium setting. These theories are strongly correlated in the sense that there exists no weakly-coupled quasi-particle picture upon which one could base a perturbative treatment. This makes understanding their dynamics, even near equilibrium, an extremely challenging problem.

I am interested in all aspects of far-from equilibrium many-body dynamics, in particular as seen through the lens of holography. For an overview of topics I am interested in, I recommend consulting some of my work on this subject:

• Formation of topological defects in finite-rate quenches [Nature Communications 6, 7406 (2015)]: abstract
• Dynamics of symmetry breaking [Phys.Rev.Lett. 110 (2013)]: abstract
  Talk at BIRS (Banff, Canada)
• Hawking radiation and quantum-critical steady states [Phys.Rev.Lett. 109 (2012) 091601]: abstract 
  Talk at KITP (Santa Barbara, USA)
• A gravity derivation of the Tisza-Landau model [Phys.Rev. D82 (2010)]: abstract