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Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics

Career

  • 1974-1976: Research Fellow, Girton College, Cambridge
  • 1976-present: Official Fellow, College Lecturer and Director of Studies in Mathematics, Girton College
  • 1991-1994: Temporary Lecturer, DAMTP, Cambridge
  • 1994-2002: Assistant Director of Research, DAMTP
  • 2002-present: Reader in Mathematical Physics, DAMTP

Research

Discrete gravity, both classical and quantum, mainly based on Regge calculus; spin foam models. The role of holonomy in quantum gravity. The variation of Newton's constant.

Selected Publications

  • Discrete structures in physics, J. Math. Phys. 41 (2000) 3964-3984 (with T. Regge).
  • 6j-symbols and discrete quantum gravity, Nucl. Phys. B (Proc. Suppl.) 88 (2000) 124-131.
  • Flat and curved space-times: Second edition, Oxford University Press (2000) (with G. F. R. Ellis).
  • Gluing 4-simplices: a derivation of the Barrett-Crane spin foam model for Euclidean quantum gravity, Phys. Rev. D63 (2001) 024022 (with D. Oriti).
  • Constraints on area variables in Regge calculus, Class. Quantum Grav. 18 (2001) L43-46 (with J. M\"akel\"a).
  • Non-perturbative gravity and the spin of the lattice graviton, Phys. Rev. D70 (2004) 124007 (with H. W. Hamber).
  • Area Regge calculus and discontinuous metrics, Class. Quantum Grav. 21 (2004) 4865-4880 (with C. J. Wainwright).
  • Nonlocal effective gravitational field equations and the running of Newton's constant G, Phys. Rev. D72 (2005) 04426 (with H. W. Hamber).
  • Nonlocal effective field equations for quantum cosmology, Mod. Phys. Lett. A 21 (2006) 735 (with H. W. Hamber).
  • Quantum gravity in large dimensions, Phys. Rev. D73 (2006) 04403 (with H. W. Hamber).
  • Discrete quantum gravity, Journal of Physics: Conference Series 33 (2006) 38-48.
  • Bertha Swirles Jeffreys, in Out of the Shadows: Contributions of Twentieth-Century Women to Physics, edited by Nina Byers and Gary Williams (CUP, 2006).
  • Constraints on the gravitational scaling dimension from the non-local effective field equations, Phys. Lett. B643 (2006) 228 (with H. W. Hamber).
  • Renormalization group running of Newton's G: the static isotropic case, Phys. Rev. D75 (2007) 084014 (with H. W. Hamber).
  • Gravitational Wilson loop and large scale curvature, Phys. Rev. D76 (2007) 84008 (with H. W.Hamber).

Publications

Discrete quantum gravity
RM Williams
– Journal of Physics Conference Series
(2006)
33,
38
Quantum gravity in large dimensions
HW Hamber, RM Williams
– Physical Review D
(2006)
73,
044031
Nonlocal effective gravitational field equations and the running of Newton’s constantG
HW Hamber, RM Williams
– Physical Review D
(2005)
72,
044026
Nonperturbative gravity and the spin of the lattice graviton
HW Hamber, RM Williams
– Physical Review D
(2004)
70,
124007
Area Regge calculus and discontinuous metrics
C Wainwright, RM Williams
– Classical and Quantum Gravity
(2004)
21,
4865
A absorption model with correct regge cut branch point behaviour
PA Collins, RM Williams
– Journal of Physics A: Mathematical, Nuclear and General
(2001)
7,
710
Constraints on area variables in Regge calculus
J Makela, RM Williams
– Classical and Quantum Gravity
(2001)
18,
l43
Gluing 4-simplices: A derivation of the Barrett-Crane spin foam model for Euclidean quantum gravity
D Oriti, RM Williams
– Physical Review D
(2000)
6302,
024022
Simplicial minisuperspace models in the presence of a massive scalar field with arbitrary scalar coupling eta Rphi2
CC da Silva, RM Williams
– Classical and Quantum Gravity
(2000)
17,
1827
6j-symbols and discrete quantum gravity
RM Williams
– Nuclear Physics B - Proceedings Supplements
(2000)
88,
124
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Research Group

High Energy Physics

Room

B0.34

Telephone

01223 337884