Premala Chandra, Ph.D.

Premala (“Premi”) Chandra is a Professor at Rutgers University in the Department of Physics and Astronomy who has pursued her research in both academic and industrial settings. A theoretical physicist, Premi works on problems inspired by experimental puzzles observed in materials. In her more applied work, she has patented a superconducting associative memory that is suitable for high-density information storage.

The synergy between strong correlations and quantum fluctuations in condensed matter systems is known to result in emergent quantum phases with intriguing properties. Understanding these challenging quantum many-body systems is a problem of central importance in theoretical physics; it is also the basis for developing and controlling new materials for developing and controlling new materials for future technologies. Premi is fascinated by rich phases of quantum matter that emerge from the confluence of quantum mechanics and complexity. In recent years her main goal has been to develop new theoretical frameworks to study dynamical quantum behaviors in correlated quantum materials, both naturally occurring and synthetic, as they evolve along thermal and nonthermal pathways; the aim is to produce phenomenological descriptions of existing enigmatic experiments and to make predictions for future measurements.

Currently Premi is studying light-induced incommensurate structures in quantum materials that are inaccessible in equilibrium and can be realized in experiment. A synergistic combination of analytic and computational approaches is required to characterize these non-thermal phases and to identify potential host materials.

More information about Premi’s research can be found at her Rutgers website.