Your Particle Is
Electron
e⁻
Mass
0.511 MeV
Charge
−1
Spin
½

You are fundamental and everywhere. Small but mighty, you form the backbone of chemistry and life itself.

Press again to reveal another particle
x: 0 | y: 0

Jonathan Lozano Mayo

Ph.D. Student, University of Texas at Austin
Weinberg Institute for Theoretical Physics

I am a theoretical physicist interested in condensed matter theory, many-particle physics, topological and non-topological solitons, quantum systems, and effective field theory applications. My current work uses tensor network methods to study strongly correlated electron-phonon systems.

I received my B.Sc. from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, where I was advised by Manuel Torres Labansat. My undergraduate research focused on spontaneous symmetry breaking of gauge symmetries in scalar theories with potentials possessing two continuous vacuum families.

I am drawn to non-perturbative problems in field theory and to strongly correlated many-body systems, and to the places where the two meet.

Jonathan Lozano Mayo

Recent News

Sep 2026
Multi-kinks and composite oscillons in a commensurable and non-degenerate double sine-Gordon model published in JHEP.
Apr 2026
Sole-authored Generalized virial identities: radial constraints for solitons, instantons and bounces published in JHEP.

Curriculum Vitae

Download PDF

General Information

name Jonathan Lozano Mayo
email jonathanloz@utexas.edu
languages Spanish (Native), English (Fluent), German (A2), French (A2)

Research Interests

Condensed matter theory, many-particle physics, tensor network methods for strongly correlated systems, topological and non-topological solitons, quantum systems, non-perturbative phenomena, and effective field theories.

Education

2023 – present
Ph.D. in Physics
University of Texas at Austin

Advised by Prof. Antonios Alvertis

GPA: 3.9/4.00

Research in condensed matter and many-particle physics.

2016 – 2021
B.Sc. in Physics
National Autonomous University of Mexico

Advised by Prof. Manuel Torres Labansat

GPA: 9.39/10.0, High Honors

Thesis: Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking and Extended Field Configurations in a Scalar Theory Subject to a Potential with Two Families of Vacuum States

Research Experience

2026 – present
Exciton-Polaron Physics in the Holstein Model
Weinberg Institute, UT Austin · Alvertis group

Computing exciton binding energies in strongly coupled electron-phonon systems with tensor-network methods, in the regime where perturbative treatments of the coupling break down.

2025 – 2026
Generalized Virial Identities for Solitons, Instantons and Bounces
Weinberg Institute, UT Austin · Independent

Derived a one-parameter family of virial identities for \(O(n)\)-symmetric configurations that resolves Derrick's global constraint into core and tail contributions. Verified them analytically for the Fubini-Lipatov instanton, the BPS monopole and the BPST instanton, and established their residuals as an accuracy diagnostic for numerical solutions.

Sole-authored, published as JHEP 04 (2026) 058.

2025
Charm Production Across Color Environments
ALICE Collaboration, UT Austin · Markert group

Measured \(h\text{-}D^0\) azimuthal correlations in ALICE Run-3 Pb-Pb data to probe charm production in different color environments, and contributed ITS2 performance studies as collaboration service work.

2024
High-Redshift Galaxy Masses and Top-Heavy IMFs
Weinberg Institute, UT Austin · Freese group

Modeled high-redshift galaxy spectral energy distributions with Pégase to determine where JWST observations remain consistent with \(\Lambda\text{CDM}\).

2020 – 2022
Solitons in Scalar Field Theories with Non-Degenerate Vacua
Institute of Physics, UNAM

Established the existence of static n-kink structures in deformed potentials by asymptotic analysis, characterized the inter-kink binding forces numerically, and derived an analytical relation for the multi-kink energy. Renormalized the one-loop quantum mass correction of kinks in a generalized \(\phi^4\) potential.

Basis of two refereed papers.

Note: For further details on my research, please see the publications page.

Honors & Awards

Awards
  • Winner, Mexican Tournament of Physics (TMF) — 1st of 30 teams in the theoretical physics competition for bachelor's and master's students that serves as the Mexican PLANCKS preliminary (2022)
  • 7th of 50 teams, PLANCKS international final, Porto — in Mexico's first appearance (2021)
  • Winner, Mexican Tournament of Physics (TMF) — 1st nationally, earning a place on the first Mexican team to attend PLANCKS (2021)
  • Juan Manuel Lozano Mejía Diploma — UNAM Institute of Physics distinction for the most outstanding undergraduate thesis research in physics (2021)
  • Honorific Mention, B.Sc. thesis defense, UNAM — highest distinction a thesis committee can award (2021)
Fellowships & Scholarships
  • Biedenharn Endowment for Excellence, UT Austin (2024)
  • DPG/IAPS travel grant — German Physical Society and International Association of Physics Students, for the PLANCKS international final at LMU Munich (2022)
  • PRISMA Cluster of Excellence Fellowship, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (2021)
  • Summer research and school scholarships — Mexican Academy of Sciences (2018), ICF-UNAM Experimental Physics School (2018), IF-UNAM Physics School (2017)

Professional Presentations

2025
ALICE USA Meeting
\(h\text{-}D^0\) angular correlations and \(\Delta\text{ROF}\) performance studies for the ITS
2021
LXVI National Physics Congress, Mexican Physical Society
Multi-solitones en teorías escalares de campo con vacíos no-degenerados

Technical Skills

  • Python, Julia, Mathematica, C++
  • Tensor network methods (DMRG) for strongly correlated systems
  • ALICE O² analysis framework
  • Pégase population synthesis
  • Numerical PDE solvers, finite differences

Service & Outreach

2017
Taught introductory physics and mathematics for prospective STEM students at UNAM Preparatory School

Beyond Physics

Soccer, hiking, cosmic horror literature, philosophy, videogames, competitive problem solving

Research Projects

// 01

Excitons and Phonons in Strongly Correlated MaterialsIn progress

An exciton — a bound electron-hole pair — does not live in a rigid lattice. The lattice distorts around it, and that screening changes how tightly it is bound. When the electronic correlations are strong, the perturbative treatments usually applied to this coupling stop being reliable. I study these systems with tensor networks, which keep the many-body state itself accessible where diagrammatic expansions break down.

The models are of Hubbard-Holstein type: carriers hopping on a chain, coupled both to each other and to local lattice vibrations. The Hilbert space grows exponentially with system size, but ground states of gapped local Hamiltonians obey an entanglement area law and are well represented as matrix product states, so DMRG reaches the sizes needed for a controlled extrapolation.

Before any new physics, the machinery has to reproduce what is already known. The figure shows the charge gap of the extended Hubbard chain extrapolated to the thermodynamic limit across the transition region, checked against published reference data.

Tensor NetworksDMRGExcitonsElectron-Phonon CouplingStrongly Correlated Systems
Charge gap finite-size scaling
Fig. 1 — Finite-size scaling of the charge gap \(\Delta_c/t\) at \(U = 4t\) for several \(V/t\), extrapolated to \(1/L \to 0\). Crosses are reference values from Ejima et al. Preliminary.
// 02

Generalized Virial RelationsJHEP

Solitons, instantons, and bounces are held together by a delicate balance between gradient pressure pushing outward and potential energy pulling inward. I developed a mathematical tool to probe this balance at different scales.

The classical Derrick relation only sees the global picture — it can't distinguish a monopole's dense core from its diffuse magnetic tail. By introducing a tunable parameter \(\alpha\), we can "focus" on different layers: the topological core where field gradients are steepest, or the asymptotic region where the configuration melts into the vacuum.

This reveals how different stabilization mechanisms dominate at different scales. In Skyrmions, the Skyrme term fights collapse in the core while the sigma-model term shapes the outer profile. In the electroweak sphaleron, the Higgs mass sets a length scale that breaks the conformal symmetry of pure Yang-Mills.

SolitonsInstantonsVacuum DecayMonopoles
Virial relations
Fig. 2 — Relative error in the virial relations as a diagnostic tool for numerical solutions. Large alpha values are sensible to tail errors, while small alpha values are sensible to the core.
// 03

Static MultikinksJHEP

Studied topological solitons in potentials with multiple minima. Found that false vacuum pressure can stabilize static multikink solutions.

I worked with Prof. Manuel Torres Labansat studying the properties of topological solitons in potentials that have many local minima trapped between two global minima.

I simulated the collision between multikinks of a modulated double sine-Gordon potential we proposed. The generalization to higher-dimensional topological solitons arising in gauge theories is a potential research topic. Presented at the AMC National Physics Congress.

Topological SolitonsSine-GordonJuliaCollective Coordinates
Multikink collision
Fig. 3 — Energy density of multikink collision. Simulated in Julia with finite differences and non-reflective boundary conditions.
// 04

One-Loop Mass Renormalization of Kink SolutionsJPhysComm

Quantized kink solutions in a generalized \(\phi^4\) potential allowing static multikink solutions.

Due to the particle-like properties of solitons, it's natural to ask whether they have a corresponding one-particle state in the quantum theory.

Given the non-analytic behavior of the potential, solving for the normal modes was highly non-trivial. With a suitable transformation the eigenvalue equation can be cast as a Pöschl–Teller Schrödinger equation. The force between interacting kinks was calculated using asymptotic analysis.

Published in J. Phys. Commun. (2021).

Topological SolitonsRenormalizationHomotopy Theory
Kink solutions
Fig. 4 — Comparison of exact kink solution (dotted) with multikink ansatz (dashed).
// 05

JWST "Too Massive" GalaxiesarXiv

With Prof. Katherine Freese, studied alternative explanations for JWST high-redshift galaxy observations that appear "too massive."

We examine in detail three effects which can provide alternative explanations:

(1) A "top heavy" initial mass function (IMF) — high mass stars produce far more light than low mass stars

(2) A variety of star formation histories — constant, exponentially decreasing, and peaked star formation rates

(3) A variety of initial metallicities

Modeled spectral energy distributions using the Pégase population synthesis code.

CosmologyPythonAstrophysics
IMF analysis
Fig. 5 — Star formation efficiency ratio \(\epsilon/\epsilon_{\rm fid}\) vs. galaxy age for various top-heavy IMFs.
// 06

\(h\text{-}D^0\) Angular CorrelationsResearch

Using angular correlations to study QGP properties and how charm quark production is modified by jet-medium interactions.

The technique involves measuring the azimuthal angle difference between a high-\(p_T\) trigger particle and a lower-\(p_T\) associate particle.

If the trigger momentum is high enough, it serves as a proxy for the jet axis. The angle difference \(\Delta\phi\) provides information about the production region: small \(\Delta\phi\) corresponds to production in the jet, while \(\Delta\phi \approx \pi\) corresponds to the recoil jet where production could be modified by medium-jet interactions.

Analysis uses the ALICE \(O^2\) framework.

QGPALICEC++\(O^2\)
Angular correlations
Fig. 6 — Differential yield vs. \(\Delta\phi\).
D0 invariant mass
Fig. 7 — \(D^0\) invariant mass, Run 3 pp at \(\sqrt{s} = 13.6\) TeV.
// 07

Fate of the False VacuumResearch

Studying vacuum decay through Coleman's formalism — tunneling via nucleation of true vacuum bubbles.

In field theory, it's impossible for a system at a false vacuum to decay to a true vacuum by standard means — an infinite amount of energy would be necessary. However, Coleman theorized that tunneling occurs through nucleation of bubbles that expand at near-\(c\) speed.

Coleman's formalism involves finding solutions to the non-linear field equations in Euclidean space — special non-topological solitons called bounces.

While working on a generalized \(\phi^4\) model, we found a general set of virial relations that reproduce well-known results and lead to new relations still being studied.

Non-Topological SolitonsField TheoryFalse Vacuum
Vacuum decay potential
Fig. 8 — Potential with metastable and stable vacuum.
// 08

Photon Wave FunctionResearch

Can we have a well-defined photon wave function in position space? Are Maxwell's equations already quantum?

This was my first research project. Motivated by foundational questions about photon position operators and wave functions.

Constructed the photon wave function, found its wave equation, constructed Hamiltonian and spin operators. Used representation group theory to examine transformation properties of the wave function and verified expected symmetries.

Quantum MechanicsGroup Theory
Maxwell's equations
Fig. 9 — Maxwell's equations. Credit: Sean Lang.

Publications

2026

Generalized Virial Relations: Radial Constraints for Solitons, Instantons and Bounces
Jonathan Lozano Mayo
We derive a continuous family of virial identities for O(\(n\)) symmetric configurations, parameterized by an exponent \(\alpha\) that controls the radial weighting. The family provides a systematic decomposition of the global constraint into radially-resolved components, with special \(\alpha\) values isolating specific mechanisms. For BPS configurations, the virial identity is satisfied for all valid \(\alpha\). Verified analytically for the Fubini-Lipatov instanton, BPS monopole, and BPST instanton.
Multi-Kinks and Composite Oscillons in a Commensurable and Non-Degenerate Double Sine-Gordon Model
Jonathan Lozano Mayo, Manuel Torres Labansat
We introduce a commensurable and non-degenerate double sine-Gordon model, in which a partial breaking of vacuum degeneracy provides a mechanism for the emergence of static multi-kinks. The multi-kinks \(K_n\) are stable configurations with internal structure, made of \(n\) localized energy packets with well-defined separations. Their collisions produce long-lived composite oscillons that reflect the original structure of the multi-kink. Sub-kink positions and vibration modes provide collective coordinates for a phenomenological model, in which linear radiation synchronizes the oscillon's vibrational components, while decay and sudden annihilation are driven by a staccato-like mechanism of repeated mass-threshold crossings.

2025

Explaining the "Too Massive" High-Redshift Galaxies in JWST Data: Numerical Study of Three Effects and a Simple Relation
JJ Ziegler, K Freese, J. Lozano, G Montefalcone
The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered high luminosity galaxies that appear "too many" and "too massive" compared to predictions of the Standard \(\Lambda\)CDM cosmology. We examine three effects: (1) a "top heavy" IMF, (2) a variety of star formation histories, and (3) a variety of initial metallicities.

2021

Kink Solutions in a Generalized Scalar \(\phi^4_G\) Field Model
Jonathan Lozano Mayo, Manuel Torres Labansat
We study a scalar field model with a generalized \(\phi^4_G\) potential which has four minima, obtaining novel kink solutions with well-defined properties although the potential is non-analytical at the origin. The model contains a control parameter \(\delta > 0\) that breaks the degeneracy. Remarkably, the kink is a coherent structure resulting from the merge of three kinks. We calculate the force between kink components and compute quantum corrections via semiclassical WKB quantization.

Teaching

Classes, workshops, and teaching material

International Centre for Theoretical Physics

ICTP-PWF
Quantum Field Theory I
Physics Without Frontiers Initiative
Fall 2025: Lecturer

Introduction to quantum field theory for students in the Physics LATAM initiative of the ICTP.

ICTP-PWF
Theoretical Particle Physics
Advanced Quantum Field Theory
Fall 2024: Teaching Assistant

Held problem solving discussion sessions and graded homework assignments.

University of Texas at Austin

CNS
Graduate Quantum Mechanics
Graduate core course
2026: Teaching Assistant

Mentored students and graded assignments for a graduate course on quantum mechanics.

CNS
Waves and Optics
2025: Teaching Assistant

Held weekly discussion sections and graded coursework spanning wave phenomena, optics, and electromagnetism.

CNS
PHY 315 & PHY 105N
Modern Physics / Electromagnetism Lab
Fall 2023 – Spring 2025: Teaching Assistant

Mentored students, held weekly problem solving sessions, graded homeworks and exams.

Gave short lectures introducing concepts for electromagnetism experiments.

National Autonomous University of Mexico

FC-UNAM
Thermodynamics
Spring 2022: Teaching Assistant

Undergraduate-level thermodynamics course, taught by Prof. Juan Valentín Escobar Sotomayor and MSc. Iván Hernández Garibay.

Mentored students, held problem solving sessions, created and graded homeworks and exams.

FC-UNAM
Nuclear and Subnuclear Physics
2019: Teaching Assistant

Undergraduate level Nuclear and Subnuclear Physics taught by Prof. Manuel Torres Labansat.

Mentored groups of students, graded homeworks and exams.