James Charles Séamus Davis (born 22 March 1961) is an Irish–American physicist whose research explores the world of macroscopic quantum physics. Davis concentrates upon the fundamental physics of exotic states of electronic, magnetic, atomic and space-time quantum matter. A specialty is development of innovative instrumentation to allow direct atomic-scale visualisation or perception of the quantum many-body phenomena that are characteristic of these states. Davis operates two suites of ultra-low vibration laboratories, one in Beecroft Building at University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, another in the Kane Building at University College Cork in Ireland. Other key components of the program are at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids in Germany.
Biography Born in 1961 in Skibbereen, County Cork, Davis was admitted to University College Cork (UCC) in 1978 to study physics under Frank Fahy, graduating with a B.Sc. in 1983. He received his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1989. He became a postdoctoral research associate at UC Berkeley the following year, and joined the faculty in 1993. He was appointed Professor of Physics in 2000. From 1998 to 2002, Davis was a faculty physicist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He then joined Cornell University as Professor of Physics in 2003, and was appointed J.G. White Distinguished Professor of Physics in 2008. In 2007, he became SUPA Distinguished Professor of Physics at the University of St Andrews. He joined Brookhaven National Laboratory in 2007 as a senior physicist, and in 2009 was appointed director of DOE's Center for Emergent Superconductivity. In 2019, Davis became Professor of Quantum Physics at UCC, Senior Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford, and Professor of Physics at the University of Oxford.
Research Davis' overall interests focus upon macroscopic quantum physics. Active research subjects include studies of:
Topological Superconductors Electron Pair Density Wave States Quantum & Classical Spin Liquids Kondo Metals & Insulators Visualising Electron Fluid Flow Cu/Fe High-Tc Superconductors Topological Insulators Macroscopic Quantum Dynamics For these studies, a variety of specialised instrumentation has been developed including scanning tunneling microscopes, quantum interferometers, quantum mechanical oscillators and spin noise spectrometers. The overall strategy is to exploit distinct capabilities and facilities so as to conduct scientifically harmonized studies with complementary scientific instruments at all group locations.
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References
External links Davis Group Davis Group – University of Oxford Davis Group – University College Cork Davis Group – Cornell University
