David Pekker
Assitant Professor, University of Pittsburgh

Office: Allen Hall 214
pekkerd@pitt.edu

Mailing Address:
Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of Pittsburgh
100 Allen Hall
3941 O'Hara St
Pittsburgh PA 15260

Teaching:
2014 Fall: Physics 3101 special topics in AMO physics
2015 Spring: Physics 3716 Advanced Solid State Physics
2016 Fall: Physics 1370 Quantum Mechanics I
2017 Spring: Physics 1371 Quantum Mechanics II
2018 Spring: Physics 3542 Advanced Statistical Physics

Research:
My main interests are in strongly correlated systems and their dynamics, with a focus on ultracold atoms. Ultracold atoms offer a fresh perspective on strongly interacting many-body systems. In particular, they allow one to simulate and probe models relevant for condensed matter systems, as well as novel models that do not correspond to any natural or man-made materials. Furthermore, ultracold atoms offer the advantage of precise control over model parameters, including tuning them in time, as well as the ability to probe dynamics and disorder.

My CV can be found here, and an extended summary of my research interests can be found here, a proposal for studying quantum dynamics of many-body systems can be found here, and a summary of my teaching interests and philosophy here.

Before joining Caltech in 2010, I did a postdoc at Harvard University, where I worked with Eugene Demler on ultracold atom physics, with a focus on dynamics.

I got my Ph.D. in physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in 2007, where I worked with Prof. Paul Goldbart on problems in superconductivity, superfluidity, mesoscopics and magnetism.

I did my undergrad at Rice University obtaining a BS in physics and a BA in mathematics in 2002.

Publications:
Google Scolar
arXiv