Fields & String Theory

Superstring theory is a try to explain four fundamental forces and interactions in nature as a unified theory in terms of open and closed superstrings and the D-branes. Today, string theory covers many different areas from physics to mathematics. And, one of the most popular topics in string theory is AdS/CFT correspondence which is related to a bulk (super-)gravity theory on asymptotically AdS space-time to a conformal field theory living on the AdS boundary. Our main interests are to study string theory as a tool for strong interaction systems by using AdS/CFT correspondence such as AdS/QCD in dense media and the non-equilibrium physics with the holographic principle, etc. Other recent interests are mainly focused on the holography-motivated field theory models and related gravity models.

Gravity & Black Hole Physics

There is some indication of the needs beyond Einstein's gravity theory. Our main research interest is to study the modification of Einstein's gravity theory and its physical implication. String theory naturally suggests including the higher curvature terms. The simplest extension is by introducing the Gauss-Bonnet term. One way to understand the physical properties is by studying the black hole, which is the simplest structure only with gravity. Different gravity theories will lead to different black hole properties.

Cosmology

The standard so-called lambda CDM cosmological model is under challenge with the recent more precise observations. Our research interests are to consider various cosmological models including the extension of gravity and understand the cosmological implication.