Novel Phenomena in Single-Crystal Oxides

****技术摘要****该项目包括系统地阐明由重过渡金属氧化物中的自旋轨道相互作用（SOI）驱动的新物理，以及对具有奇异基态的新自旋轨道材料的严格搜索。最近发现，重过渡金属氧化物中的SOI与库仑相互作用、非立方晶体电场和洪德规则耦合激烈竞争，并严重偏向于它们的相互竞争，以稳定具有奇异行为的基态，这与传统的电子结构论点形成鲜明对比。SOI最深刻的影响是Jeff = 1/2绝缘态，这是一种新的量子态，代表了基于5d系统的新物理。最近出现了大量的实验和理论工作，以响应PI及其合作者发现的新量子态，向我们展示了新的物理学和深刻的挑战。这是PI寻求进一步追求的新物理和挑战。该项目为所有参与的学生提供严格的培训，强调合成和表征技术，涵盖广泛的材料和实验探针。技术专长的转移将通过学生直接参与正在进行的研究工作来实现，目标是在专业期刊上发表结果。该项目也构成了先进材料中心（由NSF EPSCoR RII资助）的关键推力，PI是主任。****非技术摘要****凝聚态物质和材料物理学解决了近几十年来产生了大量尖端技术的固体和液体的新颖，基本特性的识别。人们普遍认为，谁发现并控制了新材料的优化合成，谁就控制了对这些材料通常独特性质的研究，并最终成功地将它们与先进技术相结合。不幸的是，近年来，美国在材料研究方面的领导地位受到严重侵蚀，因为拥有新材料合成和表征技能的科学家日益短缺。目前的情况是一个紧迫的国家挑战，如果不加以解决，最终可能会破坏我们的经济竞争力。该项目将重点发现、合成和表征新的过渡金属氧化物，这些氧化物已经揭示了在其他材料中很少或从未发现的广泛现象。该项目为所有参与的学生提供严格的培训，强调合成和表征技术，涵盖广泛的材料和实验探针。他们将通过短期课程、研讨会、国家实验室访问、论文和提案写作以及参加会议来进一步培训。该项目也构成了先进材料中心（由NSF EPSCoR RII资助）的关键推动力，PI是该中心的主任，该中心有助于培养跨学科专业知识，产生协同效应，并吸引新的学生，他们是推动经济发展的技术的未来人力资本。

****Technical Abstract****This project encompasses a systematic effort to elucidate the novel physics driven by spin-orbit interactions (SOI) in heavy transition metal oxides and a rigorous search for new spin-orbital materials having exotic ground states. It is recently established that SOI in heavy transition metal oxides vigorously competes with Coulomb interactions, non-cubic crystal electric field and Hund's rule coupling, and critically biases their mutual competition to stabilize ground states with exotic behavior, which sharply contrasts with traditional electronic structure arguments. The most profound effect of the SOI is the Jeff = 1/2 insulating state, a new quantum state that represents the novel physics in the 5d-based systems. Considerable recent experimental and theoretical work has appeared in response to this new quantum state discovered by the PI and collaborators, presenting us new physics and profound challenges. It is the new physics and challenges that the PI seeks to further pursue. This project provides all students involved rigorous training that emphasizes both synthesis and characterization techniques covering a broad spectrum of materials and experimental probes. The transfer of technical expertise will be achieved via direct integration of the students into ongoing research efforts with a goal of professional journal publication of results. The project also constitutes a key thrust within the Center for Advanced Materials (funded by NSF EPSCoR RII) where the PI is Director.****Non-Technical Abstract****Condensed matter and materials physics addresses identification of novel, fundamental properties of solids and liquids that have generated a remarkable number of cutting-edge technologies in recent decades. It is widely recognized that whoever discovers and controls the optimized synthesis of novel materials generally controls the investigation of their often unique properties and, ultimately, their successful integration into advanced technologies. Unfortunately, U.S. leadership in materials research has seriously eroded in recent years due to a growing shortage of scientists who possess skills in both the synthesis and characterization of new materials. The current situation presents an urgent national challenge that could ultimately undermine our economic competitiveness if left unaddressed. This project will emphasize discovery, synthesis and characterization of novel transition metal oxides that have already revealed a wide array of phenomena seldom or never found in other materials. This project provides all students involved rigorous training that emphasizes both synthesis and characterization techniques covering a broad spectrum of materials and experimental probes. They will be further trained via short courses, seminars, national lab visits, paper and proposal writing, and conference participation. The project also constitutes a key thrust within the Center for Advanced Materials (funded by NSF EPSCoR RII) where the PI is Director, an association that helps nurturing interdisciplinary expertise that will generate synergies and attract new students who are the future human capital in technologies driving the economy.