Professor Matthew Davis

Professor

School of Mathematics and Physics
Faculty of Science
mdavis@physics.uq.edu.au
+61 7 334 69824

Overview

Professor Matthew Davis' research interests are in theory and experiment of many-body quantum systems, and particularly ultracold quantum gases. He specialises in connecting theory with experiment.

He did his undergraduate studies in physics at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, before completing his PhD at the University of Oxford in 2001 under the supervision of Sir Professor Keith Burnett. He has been at the University of Queensland since 2002, and was promoted to Professor in 2013. He is currently the Head of Physics at UQ, and Deputy Head of the School of Mathematics and Physics.

He is currently a chief investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems, and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies.

Research Interests

  • Dynamical Quantum Field Theory for Bose Gases
    Calculating the physics of quantum many body systems is a notoriously difficult problem and must usually be tackled computationally. One of our interests is in a technique that utilises the fact that the lowest energy modes of a condensed Bose gas are highly occupied, and therefore can be well approximated as being classical in nature. This method is nonperturbative, and can be applied to problems such as the shift in the BEC transition temperature with interaction strength.
  • BECs in Optical Lattices
    BECs in optical lattices are beginning to probe the quantum nature of matter waves. Recent experiments have demonstrated the Mott-insulator phase transition, as well as the collapse and revival of the condensate wave function. We are interested in both quantum and thermal effects in lattices, including the re-establishment of coherence and superfluidity.
  • Growth of a BEC
    We are interested in applying quantum kinetic theory to the problem of BEC formation. Past calculations have generally shown good agreement with experiment, but some questions still remain. In particular one experiment has suggested that quasicondensate formation slows down the growth process.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Oxford
  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science, University of Otago

Publications

  • Sachkou, Yauhen P., Baker, Christopher G., Harris, Glen I., Stockdale, Oliver R., Forstner, Stefan, Reeves, Matthew T., He, Xin, McAuslan, David L., Bradley, Ashton S., Davis, Matthew J. and Bowen, Warwick P. (2019). Coherent vortex dynamics in a strongly interacting superfluid on a silicon chip. Science, 366 (6472), 1480-1485. doi: 10.1126/science.aaw9229

  • Gauthier, Guillaume, Reeves, Matthew T., Yu, Xiaoquan, Bradley, Ashton S., Baker, Mark A., Bell, Thomas A., Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina, Davis, Matthew J. and Neely, Tyler W. (2019). Giant vortex clusters in a two-dimensional quantum fluid. Science, 364 (6447), 1264-1267. doi: 10.1126/science.aat5718

  • Simula, Tapio, Davis, Matthew J. and Helmerson, Kristian (2014). Emergence of order from turbulence in an isolated planar superfluid. Physical Review Letters, 113 (16) 165302, 165302. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.165302

  • Weiler, Chad N., Neely, Tyler W., Scherer, David R., Bradley, Ashton S, Davis, Matthew J. and Anderson, Brian P. (2008). Spontaneous vortices in the formation of Bose-Einstein condensates. Nature, 455 (7215), 948-951. doi: 10.1038/nature07334

  • Blakie, P. B., Bradley, A. S., Davis, M. J., Ballagh, R. J. and Gardiner, C. W. (2008). Dynamics and statistical mechanics of ultra-cold Bose gases using c-field techniques. Advances In Physics, 57 (5), 363-455. doi: 10.1080/00018730802564254

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Grants

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Supervision

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Publications

Featured Publications

Book Chapter

  • Davis, Matthew J., Wright, Tod M., Gasenzer, Thomas, Gardiner, Simon A. and Proukakis, Nick P. (2017). Formation of Bose-Einstein condensates. Universal themes of Bose-Einstein condensation. (pp. 117-150) edited by Nick P. Proukakis, David W. Snoke and Peter B. Littlewood. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781316084366.009

  • Davis, Matthew J., Wright, Tod M., Blakie, P. Blair, Bradley, Ashton S., Ballagh, Rob J. and Gardiner, Crispin W. (2013). C-Field Methods for Non-Equilibrium Bose Gases. Quantum gases: finite temperature and non-equilibrium dynamics. (pp. 163-175) edited by Nick Proukakis, Simon Gardine, Matthew Davi and Marzena Szymańska. London, United Kingdom: Imperial College Press. doi: 10.1142/9781848168121_0010

  • Davis, Matthew J., Gardiner, Simon A., Hanna, Thomas M., Nygaard, Nicolai, Proukakis, Nick P. and Szymańska, Marzena H. (2013). Introduction to theoretical modelling. Quantum Gases: Finite Temperature and Non-Equilibrium Dynamics. (pp. 63-83) edited by Nick Proukakis, Simon Gardiner, Matthew Davis and Marzena Szymańska. Covent Garden, London, UK: Imperial College Press. doi: 10.1142/9781848168121_0004

  • Proukakis, Nick P., Gardiner, Simon A., Davis, Matthew J. and Szymańska, Marzena H. (2013). Preface. Quantum Gases: Finite Temperatures and Non-Equilibrium Dynamics. (pp. vii-x) edited by Nick Proukakis, Simon Gardiner, Matthew Davis and Marzena Szymańska. Covent Garden, London, UK: Imperial College Press. doi: 10.1142/9781848168121_fmatter

  • Wright, Tod M., Davis, Matthew J. and Proukakis, Nick P. (2013). Reconciling the Classical-Field Method with the Beliaev Broken-Symmetry Approach. Quantum gases: finite temperature and non-equilibrium dynamics. (pp. 299-312) edited by Nick Proukakis;, Simon Gardiner, Matthew Davis and Marzena Szymańska. London, United Kingdom: Imperial College Press. doi: 10.1142/9781848168121_0019

  • Proukakis, Nick P., Davis, Matthew J. and Gardiner, Simon A. (2013). Selected Theoretical Comparisons for Bosons. Quantum Gases: Finite Temperature and Non-Equilibrium Dynamics. (pp. 261-286) edited by Nick Proukakis, Simon Gardiner, Matthew Davis and Marzena Szymańska. London, United Kingdom: Imperial College Press. doi: 10.1142/9781848168121_0017

Journal Article

Conference Publication

  • Gauthier, Guillaume, Szigeti, Stuart S., Reeves, Matthew T., Baker, Mark, Bell, Thomas A., Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina, Davis, Matthew J. and Neely, Tyler W. (2020). Superfluid acoustics in a dumbbell helmholtz oscillator. 2020 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Pacific Rim, CLEO-PR 2020, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 3–5 August 2020. Washington D.C., United States: OSA Publishing . doi: 10.1364/cleopr.2020.c8c_1

  • Neely, Tyler W., Gauthier, Guillaume, Szigeti, Stuart, Bell, Thomas A., Baker, Mark, Davis, Matthew and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina (2017). Advanced optical trapping of ultracold atoms for studying superfluid transport and turbulence. Frontiers in Optics 2017, Washington, D.C. United States, 18–21 September 2017. Washington, D.C.: OSA - The Optical Society. doi: 10.1364/FIO.2017.FW2B.3

  • Gauthier, Guillaume, Lenton, Issac, Baker, Mark, Davis, Matthew J., Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina and Neely, Tyler W. (2017). Near-diffraction limited direct imaging of patterned light fields for trapping (Conference presentation). Conference on Complex Light and Optical Forces XI, San Francisco, CA, United States, 31 January - 2 February, 2017. Bellingham, WA, United States: SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering. doi: 10.1117/12.2251851

  • Davis, Matthew J., Wright, Tod M., Simula, Tapio, Feng, Chao and Garrett, Michael C. (2011). Non-equilibrium flows and superfluid turbulence in finite temperature dilute gas Bose-Einstein condensates. International Quantum Electronics Conference, IQEC 2011 and Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics, CLEO Pacific Rim 2011, Sydney, NSW Australia, 28 August - 1 September 2011. Piscataway, NJ United States: I E E E. doi: 10.1109/IQEC-CLEO.2011.6194108

  • Feng, Chao, Wright, Tod and Davis, Matthew J. (2011). Quantum drag forces below the superfluid critical velocity in dilute gas Bose-Einstein condensates. Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics/Pacific Rim, CLEOPR 2011, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 28 August - 1 September 2011. Washington, DC, United States: The Optical Society.

  • Wright, Tod M., Foster, Christopher J. and Davis, Matthew J. (2011). Superfluidity and anomalous correlations in a two-dimensional Bose gas. International Quantum Electronics Conference, IQEC 2011 and Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics, CLEO Pacific Rim 2011, Sydney, NSW Australia, 28 August - 1 September 2011. Piscataway, NJ United States: I E E E. doi: 10.1109/IQEC-CLEO.2011.6194109

  • Humbert, L., Baker, M., Sigle, D., Van Ooijen, E. D., Haine, S. A., Davis, M. J., Heckenberg, N. R. and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, H. (2011). Time-averaged optical dipole traps for Bose-Einstein condensates. 2011 Quantum Electronics Conference & Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO/IQEC/PACIFIC RIM), Sydney, NSW, Australia, 28 August - 1 September 2011. Piscataway, NJ United States: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/IQEC-CLEO.2011.6194132

  • Anderson, Brian P., Neely, T. W., Bradley, A. S., Samson, E. C., Rooney, S. J., Wright, E. M., Law, K. J. H., Carretero-Gonzalez, R., Kevrekidis, P. G. and Davis, M. J. (2011). Two-dimensional quantum turbulence in Bose-Einstein condensates. 2011 International Quantum Electronics Conference, IQEC 2011 and Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics, CLEO Pacific Rim 2011, Sydney, NSW Australia, 28 August - September 2011. Piscataway, NJ United States: I E E E. doi: 10.1109/IQEC-CLEO.2011.6194168

  • Butcher, J. S., Humbert, L., van Ooijen, E. D., Haine, S. A., Heckenberg, N. R., Davis, M. J. and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, H. (2009). Controlled vortex formation in an all-optical Bose-Einstein condensate. ACOLS ACOFT 09, The University of Adelaide, 29/11/09 - 3/12/09. South Australia: The University of Adelaide.

  • Garrett, Michael C., Ratnapala, Adrian, van Ooijen, Erik D., Vale, Chris J., Vainio, Otto, Heckenberg, Norman R., Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina and Davis, Matthew J. (2009). Formation dynamics of a Bose-Einstein condensate in a dimple trap. ACOLS ACOFT 09, The University of Adelaide, 29/11/09 - 3/12/09. South Australia: The University of Adelaide.

  • Sabbatini, Jacopo and Davis, Matthew J. (2009). Kibble-Zurek mechanism in a spin 1/2 Bose-Einstein condensate. ACOLS ACOFT 09, The University of Adelaide, 29/11/09 - 3/12/09. South Australia: The University of Adelaide.

  • Dennis, G. R., Davis, M. J. and Hope, J. J. (2009). Quantum kinetic theory model of a continuous atom laser. ACOLS ACOFT 09, The University of Adelaide, 29/11/09 - 3/12/09. South Australia: The University of Adelaide.

  • Boixo, Sergio, Datta, Animesh, Davis, Matthew J., Flammia, Steven T., Shaji, Anil, Tacla, Alexandre B. and Caves, Carlton M. (2009). Quantum metrology from an information theory perspective. 9th International Conference on Quantum Communication, Measurement And Computing, QCMC, Calgary, AB, 19 - 24 August 2009. College Park, MD United States: American Institute of Physics. doi: 10.1063/1.3131367

  • Boixo, Sergio, Datta, Animesh, Davis, Matthew J., Flammia, Steven T., Shaji, Anil, Tacla, Alexandre B. and Caves, Carlton M. (2009). Quantum metrology with Bose-Einstein condensates. 9th International Conference on Quantum Communication, Measurement and Computing, Calgary, Canada, 19-24 August 2008. Melville, NY, United States: A I P Publishing. doi: 10.1063/1.3131366

  • Ferris, Andy, Davis, Matthew and McCulloch, Ian (2009). Simulating Bose gases with tensor product states. ACOLS ACOFT 09, The University of Adelaide, 29/11/09 - 3/12/09. South Australia: The University of Queensland.

  • Lee, G. M., Haine, S. A. and Davis, M. J. (2009). Spontaneous soliton formation in the growth of a Bose-Einstein condensate. ACOLS ACOFT 09, The University of Adelaide, 29/11/09 - 3/12/09. South Australia: The University of Adelaide.

  • Schnelle, S. K., Weegink, K. J., Feng, C., Humbert, L., Van Ooijen, E. D., Davis, M. J., Heckenberg, N. R. and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, H. (2009). Superfluid critical velocity of a bose-einstein condensate in a flat potential. CLEO/Europe - EQEC 2009 - European Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics and the European Quantum Electronics Conference, Munich, Germany, 14 - 19 June 2009. Piscataway, NJ United States: I E E E. doi: 10.1109/CLEOE-EQEC.2009.5192435

  • Feng, Chao and Davis, Matthew J. (2009). Superfluidity in trapped Bose-Einstein condensates. ACOLS ACOFT 09, The University of Adelaide, 29/11/09 - 3/12/09. South Australia: The University of Adelaide.

  • Schnelle, S. K., Weegink, K., van Ooijen, E. D., Davis, M. J., Heckenberg, N. R. and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, H. (2009). Time averaged optical traps for the investigation of superfluidity in BEC. ACOLS ACOFT 09, The University of Adelaide, 29/11/09 - 3/12/09. South Australia: The University of Adelaide.

  • van Ooijen, E. D., Schnelle, S. K., Weegink, K. J., Humbert, L., Davis, M. J., Heckenberg, N. R. and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, H. (2009). Time-averaged optical potentials for Bose-Einstein condensates. ACOLS ACOFT 09, The University of Adelaide, 29/11/09 - 3/12/09. South Australia: The University of Adelaide.

  • Humbert, Leif, Peron, M., Butcher, J., van Ooijen, E., Davis, M., Heckenberg, N. and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, H. (2009). Towards an all optical BEC and optical ring traps. ACOLS ACOFT 09, The University of Adelaide, 29/11/09 - 3/12/09. South Australia: The University of Adelaide.

  • Neely, T. W., Samson, E. C., Bradley, A. S., Davis, M. J. and Anderson, B. P. (2009). Vortex dipoles in a Bose-Einstein condensate. ACOLS ACOFT 09, The University of Adelaide, 29/11/09 - 3/12/09. South Australia: The University of Adelaide.

  • Midgley S.L., Wuster S., Davis M.J., Olsen M.K. and Kheruntsyan K.V. (2007). Atomic correlations from the dissociation of a molecular bose-einstein condensate. Quantum-Atom Optics Downunder, QAO 2007, Wollongong, December 3, 2007-December 3, 2007. Optical Society of America.

  • Lee, Geoff M., Bradley, Ashton S. and Davis, Matthew J. (2007). Coherence properties of a continuously pumped atom laser at finite temperature. Optical Society of America.

  • Da̧browska-Wüster, Beata J., Wüster, Sebastian and Davis, Matthew J. (2007). Dynamical formation of bright solitons in the collapse of bose-einstein condensates. Optical Society of America.

  • Sykes, A. G., Gangardt, D. M., Davis, M. J. and Kheruntsyan, K. V. (2007). Non-local pair correlations and quasi-crystalline phases in a 1D bose gas. Quantum-Atom Optics Downunder 2007, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 3–6 December 2007. Optical Society of America (OSA). doi: 10.1364/QAO.2007.QME17

  • Gorecka, Agnieszka, Lee, Chaohong, Davis, Matthew and Ostrovskaya, Elena (2007). Phase sensitivity of a nonlinear matter-wave interferometer. Optical Society of America.

  • Schnelle, S., Humbert, L., Van Ooijen, E. D., Davis, M. J., Heckenberg, N. R. and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, H. (2007). Rotating beam trap for studies of superfluidity in BEC. Quantum-Atom Optics Downunder, QAO 2007, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 3-6 December 2007. Optical Society of America.

  • Van Ooijen E.D., Ratnapala A., Vale C.J., Davis M.J., Heckenberg N.R. and Rubinsztein-DunlopH. (2007). Shockwave formation in a bose-einstein condensate. Quantum-Atom Optics Downunder, QAO 2007, Wollongong, 3-6 December, 2007. Optical Society of America.

  • Davis, Matthew J., Bradley, Ashton S., Weiler, Chad N., Neely, Tyler W., Scherer, David R. and Anderson, Brian P. (2007). Spontaneous vortex formation during the growth of a bose-einstein condensate. Quantum-Atom Optics Downunder, Wollongong Australia, 3–6 December 2007. Optical Society of America.

  • Ferris A.J., Bradley A.S., Olsen M.K. and Davis M.J. (2007). Super-radiant rayleigh scattering off a condensate in an optical cavity. Quantum-Atom Optics Downunder, QAO 2007, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 3-6 December 2007. Optical Society of America.

  • Upcroft, Benjamin, Vale, Chris J., Ratnapala, Adrian, Holt, Stuart, Davis, Matthew J., Campey, Tom, Heckenberg, Norman R. and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina (2005). Experiments with Bose-Einstein condensates on an atom chip. Conference on Nanomanipulation with Light, San Jose, California, USA, 25-26 Jan 2005. Bellingham, U.S.A.: SPIE International Society for Optical Engineering. doi: 10.1117/12.591220

Grants (Administered at UQ)

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Current Supervision

Completed Supervision