Prof AE Botha

Qualifications

• Ph.D. (Physics) – University of Western Ontario, Canada.
• M.Sc. – University of Denver, U.S.A.
• M.Sc. – Rhodes University, South Africa.

NRF Rating

Currently teaching

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Nonlinear Dynamics
• Synchronization and Chaos

Fields of academic interests

Theoretician: Solid State, Condensed Matter, Computational 

My main research area is in Condensed Matter Physics, focusing on Nonlinear Dynamic models of various physical systems. My research involves the study of nonlinear behaviors, such as synchronization and chaos, that occur in various physical systems of interest. I am currently active in at least three specific research areas: (i) Spin-lattice systems such as those occurring in metal nanocontacts (ii) Complex networks such as those occurring in electrical power grids (iii) Coupled systems of Josephson junctions and related models, such as the Frenkel-Kontorova and Kuramoto-Sakaguchi models.

Journal articles

• Analytical criteria for magnetization reversal in a φ₀-Josephson junction, A.A. Mazanik, I.R. Rahmonov, A.E. Botha, Yu.M. Shukrinov, Phys. Rev. Applied 14 (1), 014003 (2020).
• Peculiarities of IV-characteristics and magnetization dynamics in the φ₀-Josephson junction, Yu.M. Shukrinov, I.R. Rahmonov, A.E. Botha, Fiz. Niz. Temp. (FNT) 46 (9), 1102 (2020).
• Physical phenomena in φ0-junction: phase dynamics, IV-characteristics and magnetization precessions, Yu.M. Shukrinov, I.R. Rahmonov, A.E. Botha, Nanophysics and Nanoelectroncs: Proceedings XXVI International Symposium, Мarch 10–13, 1, 21 (2020).
• Signs of memory in a plastic frustrated Kuramoto model of neurons, M. Ansariara, S. Emadi, V. Adami, A.E. Botha, M.R. Kolahchi, Nonlinear Dynamics 100, 3685 (2020).
• Directional bonding explains the high conductance of atomic contacts in bcc metals, W. Dednam, C. Sabater, M.R. Calvo, C. Untiedt, J.J. Palacios, A.E. Botha, M. J. Caturla, Phys. Rev. B 101, 165417 (2020).
• Modeling of dc SQUIDs with topologically nontrivial barriers, E.M. Benecha, I.R. Rahmonov, Yu.M. Shukrinov, A.E. Botha, N. Ananikian, Armenian J. Phys. 12, 226 (2019).
• Inertial effects in the dc+ac driven underdamped Frenkel-Kontorova model: subharmonic steps, chaos and hysteresis, J Tekić, A.E. Botha, P. Mali, Yu.M. Shukrinov, Phys. Rev. E. 99, 022206 (2019).
• Disrupted chimera ordering in magnetization within FeCl2 layers, W. Dednam, M.J. Caturla, A.E. Botha, Europhysics Letters 123, 60004 (2018).
• Devil's staircases in the IV characteristics of superconductor/ferromagnet/superconductor Josephson junctions, M. Nashaat, A.E. Botha, Yu.M. Shukrinov, Phys. Rev. B 97, 224514 (2018).
• Analysis of chimera states as drive-response systems, A.E. Botha, M.R. Kolahchi, Scientific Reports 8, 1830 (2018).

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

• C1 NRF rating (2019 - 2023)
• Member of the British Institute of Physics (since 2004)

Projects

• Synchronization effects in electrical power grids (in collaboration with the University of Cape Town, South Africa).
• Systems of coupled Josephson junctions, including the S-F-S φ₀-junction model and LRC shunted systems (in collaboration with the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Russia).
• Spin lattice dynamics in metallic nanocontacts (in collaboration with the University of Alicante, Spain).
• Models of neurological memory (in collaboration with the Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences, Iran)