Physics Colloquium

In most materials, electrons move around and scatter essentially independently of one another. In quantum materials, in contrast, electrons engage in highly correlated motions that resemble a complex dance. These correlations give rise to a wide range of astonishing electronic and magnetic properties that evoke the most profound scientific questions challenging the field of condensed matter physics.

Research at the Quantum Matter Institute (QMI) at UBC seeks to unravel and exploit the complex phenomena that emerge in novel engineered materials — not only as a result of these strong electronic correlations, but also from other sources of extraordinary behavior, such as topological states or physical structures created artificially at the atomic scale. Our research has advanced beyond merely exploring these materials so we can now begin to rationally design materials with the ideal properties to serve as building blocks for future ultra-high-performance technologies; synthesize these materials; characterize them, developing new experimental and theoretical techniques along the way as needed; and using them to fabricate archetype devices to demonstrate their technological potential.

In this talk, I will provide an overview of the ongoing Quantum Materials by Design effort at QMI, ranging from designing novel quantum phases in graphene via strain engineering and local symmetry breaking [1], to the possible realization of high-temperature topological superconductivity in twisted monolayer-thin layers of d-wave copper oxides [2]. To this end, QMI aims at bringing together research, training, and translation in one holistic coherent effort in quantum materials & quantum technologies.

[1] P. Nigge et al., Room temperature strain-induced Landau levels in graphene on a wafer-scale platform, Science Advances 5, eaaw5593 (2019).

[2] O. Can et al., High-temperature topological superconductivity in twisted double layer copper oxides, Nature Physics 17, 519 (2021).

Join via Zoom:

https://caltech.zoom.us/j/85811994621

Meeting ID: 858 1199 4621

The colloquium is held in Feynman Lecture Hall, 201 E. Bridge.

In person is open to those with a valid Caltech ID.