Quantum phenomena in solids

固体中的量子现象

• 批准号: 1206809
• 负责人: Leon Balents
• 金额: $ 34.5万
• 依托单位: University of California-Santa Barbara
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-09-01 至 2016-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1206809&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Quantum; phenomena; solids

TECHNICAL SUMMARYThis award supports theoretical research aimed at understanding and controlling quantum correlations in solids. In the long term, the two goals of this research program are:(1) Design and development of new materials and structures with useful functionalities that are not currently available, and (2) Extending the basic scientific framework to understand matter in novel regimes and phases. The three main topics to be studied to achieve these goals are: (1) highly quantum magnetism, (2) materials derived from topological insulators, and (3) correlated oxide interfaces. It is envisioned that there will be synergy between these areas. The research will be carried out using a diverse set of theoretical techniques including phenomenological modeling, statistical mechanics, field theory, ab initio simulations, density matrix renormalization group, and symmetry analysis.The general style of this research program is to develop and bring deep theoretical ideas in the theory of solids into fruition in real materials. Quantum magnetism, the first topic, is the most ideal arena to test theories of exotic, non-locally entangled quantum states. Research on quantum spin liquids and magnetization processes is very timely, coinciding with a burst of experimental discoveries and questions raised by them. The second topic defines new directions for the active area of topological insulators, focusing on problems where fundamental theoretical issues still reside, and where opportunities are present for materials synthesis. In the third topic on correlated interfaces, essential issues in this field, such as the driving forces behind the metal-insulator transition and the nature of carriers induced by polarization discontinuities, will be addressed.This award also supports the education of a graduate student and a postdoctoral research associate at the frontiers of condensed matter theory. The PI will incorporate the methods and results from the research into teaching materials, and involve undergraduate students in research providing motivation for them to pursue higher education in physics. The PI will also be involved in disseminating the research results to specialist as well as non-specialist audiences via the group's extensive web site and review articles. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARYThis award supports theoretical research aimed at understanding and controlling quantum mechanical correlations in solids. Focusing on novel phenomena which have been observed or can be engineered in modern materials, the goal of the research is to devise new types of functionalities for these materials, and to expand the theoretical framework which describes quantum phenomena. At the most fundamental level, the work will describe new phases of matter with remarkable properties, and determine how to study and harness those properties in the laboratory. This award also supports the education of a graduate student and a postdoctoral research associate at the frontiers of condensed matter theory. The PI will incorporate the methods and results from the research into teaching materials, and involve undergraduate students in research providing motivation for them to pursue higher education in physics. The PI will also be involved in disseminating the research results to specialist as well as non-specialist audiences via the group's extensive web site and review articles.

该奖项支持旨在理解和控制固体中量子相关性的理论研究。从长远来看，该研究计划的两个目标是：（1）设计和开发具有当前不可用的有用功能的新材料和结构，以及（2）扩展基本科学框架，以了解新制度和阶段的物质。 要实现这些目标，需要研究的三个主要课题是：（1）高量子磁性，（2）拓扑绝缘体衍生的材料，以及（3）相关氧化物界面。 预计这些领域之间将产生协同作用。研究将使用一套不同的理论技术，包括唯象建模，统计力学，场论，从头计算模拟，密度矩阵重整化群和对称性分析。该研究计划的总体风格是发展和实现固体理论中的深层理论思想，在真实的材料中实现。第一个课题量子磁学是检验奇异的、非局域纠缠量子态理论的最理想的竞技场。对量子自旋液体和磁化过程的研究非常及时，与它们提出的实验发现和问题的爆发相吻合。第二个主题定义了拓扑绝缘体的有源区的新方向，重点是基本理论问题仍然存在的问题，以及材料合成的机会。第三个主题是相关界面，将讨论该领域的基本问题，如金属-绝缘体转变背后的驱动力和极化不连续性引起的载流子的性质。该奖项还支持凝聚态理论前沿的一名研究生和一名博士后研究助理的教育。 PI将把研究的方法和结果纳入教材，并让本科生参与研究，为他们追求物理高等教育提供动力。 主要研究者还将参与通过该小组的广泛网站和评论文章向专家和非专家受众传播研究结果。 非技术总结该奖项支持旨在理解和控制固体中量子力学相关性的理论研究。 该研究的重点是在现代材料中已经观察到或可以设计的新现象，研究的目标是为这些材料设计新的功能类型，并扩展描述量子现象的理论框架。 在最基本的层面上，这项工作将描述具有显着特性的物质的新阶段，并确定如何在实验室中研究和利用这些特性。 该奖项还支持凝聚态理论前沿的研究生和博士后研究助理的教育。 PI将把研究的方法和结果纳入教材，并让本科生参与研究，为他们接受物理学高等教育提供动力。 主要研究者还将参与通过该小组的广泛网站和评论文章向专家和非专家受众传播研究结果。