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Melia Lab (Kavli IPMU)
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A lab searching for new physics, from quantum field theory to cosmic observations and quantum sensors.
AboutAbout the lab
Why are we here?
The Melia Lab studies theoretical physics that explores the fundamental laws of the universe, centered on particle phenomenology.
The lab aims to answer fundamental questions such as "Why are we here?" and "What laws make the universe what it is?"
It collaborates with researchers in a wide range of fields, including quantum mechanics and field theory, general relativity and cosmology, and astroparticle physics.
Beyond theory, the lab is also involved in satellite observations and the prototyping of new quantum sensors.
Key terms
- Quantum field theory
- A theory that treats particles as "fields" spread through space and describes elementary particles by combining quantum mechanics with relativity.
- Effective field theory
- A theory that ignores details finer than a certain length and organizes only the properties visible at larger scales.
- Dark matter
- Unidentified matter that cannot be seen in light but is thought, from its gravitational effects, to exist in large amounts in the universe.
ResearchResearch themes
To answer the question of what the fundamental laws of the universe are, the lab conducts research spanning quantum mechanics and field theory, new technologies, general relativity and cosmology, and astroparticle physics. In addition to theoretical research, it also works on satellite observations and the development of quantum sensors.
*Illustrative imageQuantum Field Theory and Shadow Matter
Together with collaborators, the lab has shown that in electromagnetism and general relativity, the classical equations arising from quantum theory do not make up the full Maxwell equations or Einstein equations. A gravitational fluid may remain in the cosmic background, and the lab is trying to determine whether it is the identity of dark matter.
*Illustrative imageGeneralized Symmetries and Effective Field Theory
The lab investigates in detail the idea of "generalized symmetries," which act on extended objects, using the theory of spin ice, which behaves like electromagnetism when viewed coarsely. It also works on the mathematical structure of effective field theories.
*Illustrative imageMeV Astronomy with the COSI Satellite
The lab takes part in the COSI satellite collaboration and focuses on the possibility of finding dark matter that decays or annihilates into MeV photons. COSI will also take on the long-standing mystery of why the galaxy glows from electron–positron annihilation.
*Illustrative imageQuantum Sensors Using Chemical Crystals
In a Japan–US collaboration, the lab proposed a quantum sensor that uses chemical crystals known as single-molecule magnets to detect a single particle (including light dark matter). It works on a mechanism similar to a bubble chamber, and the design and construction of a prototype are underway.
MembersFaculty
- Associate ProfessorMelia Thomas
VoicesStudent voices
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Portrait of a galaxy cluster (potw2527a)” ESA/Hubble & NASA, M. Postman, P. Kelly / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Quantum Field Theory and Shadow Matter: “Dark matter” United States Department of Energy / Public domain (cropped)
- Generalized Symmetries and Effective Field Theory: “Fragment of pyrochlore lattice in spin ice state” Mjpgngras / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- MeV Astronomy with the COSI Satellite: “COSI higher quality” UC Berkeley; NASA; NRL; Northrup Grumman / Public domain (cropped)
- Quantum Sensors Using Chemical Crystals: “Liquid hydrogen bubble chamber photograph of an anti-proton colliding with a proton” ENERGY.GOV / Public domain (cropped)
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