This three-year award supports cooperative research between Thomas C. Halsey of the University of Chicago and Bertrand Duplantier of the Theoretical Physics Laboratory at the French National Center for Scientific Research, Saclay. The investigators will cooperate on problems in condensed matter physics of disordered, fractal geometric systems. Utilizing partial differential equations expressed in terms of random walkers, they will study problems involving conductivity, pattern formation in corrosion and surface impedance at rough semiconductor-metal interfaces. Dr. Halsey brings to this collaboration experience in numerical work and scaling arguments for the behavior of random walks near rough surfaces. He has developed a number of fast numerical algorithms to address these problems. This is complemented by the French investigator's analytical background and mathematical techniques in generating exact results. Their combined efforts in numerics, scaling and exact results will contribute to the solution of these problems. It will also advance our understanding of the basic physics and chemistry involved in electrical conductivity, corrosion and surface interactions.
