Chen-Te Ma
@gbu.edu.cn
Prof.
Great Bay University
I am a theoretical physicist whose research spans string theory, quantum field theory, and quantum chaos, with particular contributions to double field theory, non-geometric backgrounds, and the dynamics of D-branes in flux backgrounds. I have developed effective models bridging high-energy theory and condensed matter physics, including applications of the adaptive perturbation method to spontaneous symmetry breaking and studies of spectral form factors and out-of-time-ordered correlators in quantum chaotic systems. My work also addresses fundamental computational challenges such as the sign problem in spin-imbalanced Fermi gases. My research is acknowledged for its innovative methods in understanding strongly coupled systems and string theory geometry.
EDUCATION
09/2014--09/2018 Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Physics, National Taiwan University
Field: String Theory; Quantum Information; Quantum Field Theory and Lattice Theory
Thesis: Entanglement in Quantum Field Theory
Representative Publication (String Theory): One-Loop $\beta$ Function of the Double Sigma Model with Constant Background
Representative Publication (Quantum Information): Entanglement with Centers
Representative Publication (Quantum Field Theory and Lattice Theory): Parity Anomaly and Duality Web
Supervisor: Professor Kazuo Hosomichi (10/2015--03/2017)
09/2007--06/2010 Master of Science, Department of Physics, National Taiwan University
Field: Quantum Field Theory and Lattice Theory
Thesis: CP$^{N-1}$ with Theta Term
Supervisor: Professor Ting-Wai Chiu
09/2003--06/2007 Bachelor of Science, Department of Physics (Physics Section), Fu Jen Catholic University
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Condensed Matter Physics
FUTURE PROJECTS
String Theory
My research lies at the intersection of string theory, generalized geometry, and effective field theory, focusing on understanding the implications of duality symmetries—particularly T-duality and U-duality—on spacetime structure and D-brane dynamics. Central to this pursuit is Double Field Theory, a framework that manifests O(D, D) symmetry by introducing dual coordinates corresponding to winding modes in closed string theory. This approach provides a robust geometric and algebraic structure that captures the extended nature of strings and non-geometric backgrounds beyond conventional supergravity. Studying non-geometric fluxes, such as Q- and R-fluxes, and their embedding into field theories via Double Field Theory provides insight into string compactifications, cosmology, and exotic branes.
Applications Invited
Collaborators
Quantum Information
Quantum chaos, unlike its classical counterpart, lacks a universally accepted definition due to the absence of well-defined trajectories in Hilbert space. Quantum systems can show chaotic behavior through quantities like the spectral form factor (SFF) and out-of-time-ordered correlators (OTOCs), which characterize energy level statistics and the dynamical sensitivity to perturbations. These diagnostics have attracted considerable attention in fields ranging from condensed matter to high-energy physics, especially in the study of quantum many-body systems and holographic dualities. In this context, the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) model—a (0+1)-dimensional model of randomly interacting Majorana fermions—has emerged as a key platform for studying strong coupling, maximal chaos, and emergent conformal symmetry. Building on this foundation, my research aims to understand how randomness, integrability, and disorder affect the chaotic signatures in both simple and extended quantum systems.
Applications Invited
Collaborators
Quantum Field Theory and Lattice Theory
Strongly correlated quantum systems present some of the deepest challenges in modern theoretical physics. Across condensed matter, cold atom physics, lattice field theory, and high-energy theory, one encounters a recurring obstruction: nonperturbative dynamics that evade conventional weak-coupling expansions and, in numerical approaches, sign problems that invalidate Monte Carlo importance sampling. These obstacles limit our ability to explore phase structure, symmetry breaking, and universality in regimes where experimental data are increasingly precise. Two conceptual frontiers motivate my research program: 1. How to formulate nonperturbative quantum field theories in regimes where standard numerical and perturbative tools fail, such as finite density, strong coupling, or chiral systems on the lattice. 2. How symmetry breaking, universality, and renormalization group (RG) behavior emerge from first principles, especially when naive semiclassical intuition is unreliable.
Applications Invited
Collaborators
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
GRANT DETAILS
05/2019--05/2021 Postdoctoral General Funding: Second Class (Grant No. 2019M652926)
School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, South China Normal University
Host: Professor Robert de Mello Koch
Research Topic: Quantum Chaos, Quantum Entanglement, and Nearly AdS/CFT Correspondence
Funding Institution: China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
Amount of Funding: 80,000 CNY
Responsibility: Principal Investigator
02/2019--02/2021 Post-Doctoral International Exchange Program (Grant No. YJ20180087)
School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, South China Normal University
Host: Professor Robert de Mello Koch
Research Topic: Quantum Chaos, Equilibrium State, Quantum Entanglement, Holographic Principle, and
Topological Quantum Field Theory and the Application to Condensed Matter Physics
Funding Institution: China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
Amount of Funding: 300,000 CNY/year
Responsibility: Principal Investigator
Industry, Institute, or Organisation Collaboration
Conference
2022
08/21--08/26
Chair (invited by Professor Keun-Young Kim),
The 15th Asia Pacific Physics Conference (APPC15),
Online Conference (Organizers: Takhee Lee, Woo-Sung Jung, Hyeonsik Cheong, Hyoung Joon Choi, Myung-Hwa Jung, Jun Sung Kim, Keun-Young Kim, Soonjae Moon, Bongjin Simon Mun, Bae Ho Park, and Intae Yu)
Workshop
2023
06/19--06/25
Chair (invited by Professor Vladimir K. Dobrev),
15-th International Workshop: Lie Theory and Its Applications in Physics,
Guest House of BAS,
Bulgaria (Organizers: V.K. Dobrev, N.I. Stoilova, K.K. Marinov, D.T. Nedanovski, S.J. Pacheva, T.V. Popov, D.R. Staicova, and S.T. Stoimenov)
SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, or ACADEMIC BENEFITS
Course
2020
03/26--05/28 Elective Subject for Graduate Students:
Phenomenology of Relativistic Heavy Ion Collision (2 credits; Chinese Lecture; Eight Lessons on Quantum Field Theory and Lattice Theory; 15 students)
Institute of Quantum Matter, South China Normal University (Host: Professor Hongxi Xing)
Supervision
Doctorate
2023--2025 Ying-Lin Li,
Department of Physics, National Tsing Hua University
2018--2022 Chih-Hung Wu,
Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara (Currently Postdoctoral Scholar at Washington U.)
2018--2018 Hongfei Shu,
Department of Physics, Tokyo Institute of Technology (Currently Assistant Researcher at Zhengzhou University)
2018--2020 Su-Kuan Chu,
Department of Physics, University of Maryland (Currently Research Associate at JILA, University Colorado, Boulder)