Robert Mann

University Professor

Robert Mann Professor Mann works on gravitation, quantum physics, and the overlap between these two subjects. He is interested in questions that provide us with information about the foundations of physics, particularly those that could be tested by experiment.

Professor Mann has a lively and energetic research group of about 10 graduate and undergraduate students, where we address a number of interesting questions in physics, such as

How would relativity influence how a quantum computer worked?
Could we use a quantum probe to peek inside a black hole?
Is it possible that the Big Bang could be replaced with a black hole at the beginning of time?

Contact information
Office: PHY 377
Phone: 519 888-4567 ext. 46285
Email: rbmann@uwaterloo.ca

Expertise

Gravitation and particle physics
Tests of gravitational theory
Black holes
Quantum gravity and string theory

Research

Professor Mann's research is presently directed in three areas:

New tests of the equivalence principle are being designed and investigated. Such tests provide us with important information about the gravitational force, and may give some clues as to the structure of quantum gravity. Specific examples include gravitational redshifts of quantum vacuum energies, non-metric effects on anomalous magnetic moments, gravitational depolarizatinon of polarized light and neutrino flavour mixing due to gravitational effects.
Physical properties of black holes are being studied as a means of gaining insight into quantum gravity. The formulation of the thermodynamics of gravitating systems of finite size (such as a black hole in a box) is being carried out to this end. Pair production of black holes and quantum corrections to the laws of thermodynamics are being investigated as a means of gaining a fundamental understanding of the origin of black hole entropy.
Theories of lower dimensional gravity are being investigated. Such theories model many important conceptual elements of classical and quantum gravity in a context that is mathematically simple and elegant. Specific projects include a study of the N-body problem, gravitational collapse, dilatonic black holes, and interior structure of black holes. Lower-dimensional black holes.

Teaching

PHYS121, Mechanics
PHYS124, Modern Physics
PHYS363, Intermediate Classical Mechanics
PHYS364, Mathematical Physics 1
PHYS365, Mathematical Physics 2
PHYS444, Introduction to Particle Physics
PHYS703, Quantum Field Theory

Highlighted Publications

Hennigar, Robie A., Kubizňák, David, Mann, Robert B. Entropy Inequality Violations from Ultraspinning Black Holes. Phys.Rev.Lett. (3) 115, pp. 031101(1)-031101(5).

Steele, T.G., Wang, Zhi-Wei, Contreras, D., Mann, R.B. Viable dark matter via radiative symmetry breaking in a scalar singlet Higgs portal extension of the standard model. Phys.Rev.Lett. (17) 112, pp. 1-6.

Kerner, Ryan, Mann, Robert B. Tunnelling, temperature and Taub-NUT black holes. PhysRevD. (10) 73, pp. 104010(1)-104010(11).

Fuentes-Schuller, Ivette, Mann, Robert B. Alice falls into a black hole: Entanglement in non-inertial frames. Phys.Rev.Lett. (12), 95, pp. 120404(1)-120404(4).

Kempf, Achim, Mangano, Gianpiero, Mann, Robert B. Hilbert space representation of the minimal length uncertainty relation. Phys.Rev.D. (2), 52, pp. 1108-1118.

Please see Google Scholar for a complete list of Professor Mann's publications.

Awards and Distinctions

2014, Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision, University of Waterloo
2014, Highlight of the Year paper, Classical & Quantum Gravity (2013-2014)
2014 CGQ+paper Referee's top choice, Classical & Quantum Gravity (September and February)
2014 Presiden't Award of Merit, University of Waterloo
2013, Highlight of the Year paper, Classical & Quantum Gravity (2012-2013)
2010, Distinguished Teaching Award, University of Waterloo
2009, Teaching Excellence Award, Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance
2009, Fulbright Fellow, University of California Santa Barbara, Institute for Theoretical Physics

University of Waterloo Affiliations

Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics
Associate member, Institute for Quantum Computing
Affiliate Member, the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics

Professional Associations and Service

Life Member, International Society for General Relativity and Gravitation
Member, Canadian Association of Physicists
Member, Canadian Scientific and Christian Affiliation
Member, Institute for Particle Physics
2013-2015 International Journal of Mathematical Physics G, Associate Editor
2013-2015 Canadian Association of Physicists Foundation, Board Chair
2011-2015 International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, Subatomic Physics Division, Canadian Representative
2011-2013 Canadian Association of Physicists, Member, Board of Trustees
2010-2011 Canadian Association of Physicists, Past President
2009-2010 Canadian Association of Physicists, President
2009-present Classical and Quantum Gravity, Associate Editor
2007-present Symmetry, Integrability and Geometry: Mathods and Applications (SIGMA), Editorial Board Member
2001-present LT3 Advisory Board, University of Waterloo, Member
2001-present Canadian Association of Physicists, Friend
1999-present Canadian Journal of Physics, Divisional Editor
1990-present Physics Essays, Associate Editor