Katherine Benson

Particle Theory and Cosmology

Teaching

Fall 2005 (CURRENT)

• PHY 320: Mathematical Methods for Scientists

Previous Courses

• PHY 141: Introductory Physics I
• PHY 142: Introductory Physics II
• PHY 254: Classical Physics
• PHY 361(S): Analytical Mechanics I
• PHY 380: Introducing Relativity and Cosmology
• PHY 380G: Introduction to Field Theory and Particle Physics
• PHY 462: Intro to Quantum Mechanics, II
• PHY 503a: Classical Mechanics I

Research

My current research interests involve the field theory and cosmology of warped extradimensional universes. I've used fully extradimensional field theories of bulk matter, with bulk electroweak symmetry-breaking, to construct rigorous and sensible braneworld effective field theories, with valid hierarchy solution and braneworld charge universality, in many cases: in the Randall-Sundrum geometry; for generic warped models of arbitrary codimension; for the Benson-Cho extradimensional global monopole model; and for a specific extradimensional global string model.

In ongoing work I examine calibration of effective field theory, and hierarchy solution in particular, for warped extradimensional models with bulk matter and no electroweak symmetry-breaking, where braneworld matter consists only of localized bulk zero modes. I also investigate the cosmology of warped extradimensional universes both specific and generic, in arbitrary codimension (starting with 2).

My earlier work focused on the role of symmetry-changing phase transitions in field theory and cosmology. Particularly, I examined the dynamics of these phase transitions, and of the condensates they induce.

This theme unifies my earliest work on Alice strings and string zero modes, on phase transitions with non-zero charge, and on the formation of Q-balls and semilocal string in the early universe; and my more recent work on global, textured or skyrmionic Alice strings, and on topologically-required gauged Alice strings which twist into monopoles.

Personal

I received my B.S. in Physics from Duke University in 1986, and completed my Ph.D. in the Harvard University Physics Department in 1991, under the guidance of Sidney Coleman. I then held postdoctoral positions at The Institute for Advanced Study and UC San Diego.

My husband Michelangelo Grigni and I came to Emory in fall 1995. I became an assistant professor in the physics department in 1998. We share our lives here at Emory with our daughters Kayla (born April 1997) and Julie (born February 2000).

Resources

• Funding Resources for Women in Physics
• Useful Physics and Academic Sites.