Emerging Topological Quantum Phases in Proximity-Coupled Nanostructures and Cold Atom Systems

邻近耦合纳米结构和冷原子系统中的新兴拓扑量子相

• 批准号: 1414683
• 负责人: Tudor Stanescu
• 金额: $ 23.15万
• 依托单位: West Virginia University Research Corporation
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2015-06-01 至 2020-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1414683&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Emerging; Topological; Quantum; Phases; Proximity

NONTECHNICAL SUMMARYThis award supports theoretical and computational research, and education aimed to design topological states in hybrid materials structures on the nanoscale and in systems of atoms trapped by light close to the absolute zero of temperature. Topological states are quantum mechanical states of many particles, usually electrons in materials or very cold atoms, that are characterized by properties that are peculiarly unchanged by deformations and imperfections of the system. It may be possible to harness topological states for applications in advanced communication, sensing, and quantum information technologies. Theoretical work has predicted different kinds of topological phases. Some are difficult to find in known materials. The PI will explore a different avenue, designing nanoscale structures of materials to engineer a predicted quantum state. Fhe PI aims to provide a detailed theoretical characterization of systems supporting topological quantum phases based on realistic modeling of solid state hybrid nanostructures and ultra-cold atom systems. The result will be guidance for experimental efforts in these areas and will contribute to the knowledgebase for engineering topological quantum states and developing new applications.The PI aims to investigate a series of basic science problems related to the realization and detection of topological quantum phases in solid state and cold atom systems. This project will involve in part the development of modular software that will be integrated into educational activities of the project. The research is focused on enhancing understanding of effects induced by close proximity of one part of a system to another in hybrid nanostructures and on characterizing the effects in solid-state heterostructures and cold-atom systems that arise as a consequence of strong interactions among electrons or atoms and lead to different kinds of topological quantum states. This award also supports graduate and undergraduate student training in a broad range of theoretical condensed matter techniques. A project-oriented peer mentoring program aimed to attract students into pursuing theoretical condensed matter research will also provide an educational resource that is expected to increase the success of underrepresented students of lower socio-economic status in science and engineering by effectively training them to exploit the critical connection between science and mathematics and by providing them with the opportunity to acquire useful computer programing and software development skills. TECHNICAL SUMMARYThis award supports theoretical and computational research, and education aimed to advance the understanding of topological quantum phases by bridging the gap between theoretical predictions based on minimal models and the complex phenomenology of real nanostructures under experimental conditions. This project focusses on characterizing the proximity effects that govern the low-energy physics of hybrid nanostructures and on carefully incorporating strong correlation effects. Specifically, the PI aims to: i) Identify optimal architectures for the realization, detection, and controlled manipulation ofMajorana fermions in solid state hybrid structures through realistic modeling of semiconductor nanowires and quantum dot arrays proximity-coupled to superconductors.ii.) Investigate emergent quantum states in topological insulator structures by developing a theory of proximity-induced phenomena in topological-insulator-based multilayer heterotructures and at interfaces between topological insulators and strongly correlated materials.iii.) Investigate quantum phases characterized by nontrivial topological properties in cold-atom systems by determining the effects of smooth confinement, exotic light-induced spin-orbit coupling, and strong many-body interactions.This research will provide firm guidance for the experimental efforts in these areas and will contribute to the knowledgebase for engineering topological quantum states and developing new applications.This award also supports graduate and undergraduate student training in a broad range of theoretical condensed matter techniques. A project-oriented peer mentoring program aimed to attract students into pursuing theoretical condensed matter research will also provide an educational resource that is expected to increase the success of underrepresented students of lower socio-economic status in science and engineering by effectively training them to exploit the critical connection between science and mathematics and by providing them with the opportunity to acquire useful computer programing and software development skills.

非技术性总结该奖项支持理论和计算研究，以及旨在设计纳米级混合材料结构和接近绝对零度温度的光捕获原子系统中的拓扑状态的教育。拓扑状态是许多粒子的量子力学状态，通常是材料中的电子或非常冷的原子，其特征在于系统的变形和缺陷不会改变其特性。 利用拓扑状态用于先进通信、传感和量子信息技术的应用是可能的。 理论工作已经预测了不同种类的拓扑相。有些在已知材料中很难找到。PI将探索一条不同的途径，设计材料的纳米级结构来设计预测的量子态。 Fhe PI旨在提供基于固态混合纳米结构和超冷原子系统的现实建模的支持拓扑量子相的系统的详细理论表征。其结果将指导在这些领域的实验工作，并将有助于工程拓扑量子态的知识库和开发新的应用。PI旨在研究与固态和冷原子系统中拓扑量子相的实现和检测相关的一系列基础科学问题。该项目将部分涉及模块软件的开发，这些软件将纳入项目的教育活动。该研究的重点是加强对混合纳米结构中系统的一部分与另一部分紧密接近所引起的效应的理解，并表征由于电子或原子之间的强相互作用而产生的固态异质结构和冷原子系统中的效应，并导致不同种类的拓扑量子态。该奖项还支持研究生和本科生在广泛的理论凝聚态技术培训。 一个以项目为导向的同伴指导计划，旨在吸引学生进入追求理论凝聚态研究也将提供一个教育资源，预计将增加代表性不足的学生的成功，较低的社会，通过有效地培训他们利用科学和数学之间的关键联系，并为他们提供获得有用的计算机编程和软件的机会，发展技能。该奖项支持理论和计算研究，以及旨在通过弥合基于最小模型的理论预测与实验条件下真实的纳米结构的复杂现象学之间的差距来促进对拓扑量子相的理解的教育。该项目的重点是表征邻近效应，管理混合纳米结构的低能物理和仔细纳入强相关效应。具体来说，PI的目标是：i）通过对半导体纳米线和量子点阵列邻近耦合到超导体的现实建模，确定固态混合结构中Majorana费米子的实现、检测和受控操纵的最佳架构。通过发展拓扑绝缘体多层异质结构中以及拓扑绝缘体和强相关材料之间界面处的邻近诱导现象理论，研究拓扑绝缘体结构中的涌现量子态。研究冷原子系统中具有非平凡拓扑性质的量子相位，方法是确定光滑限制、奇异光诱导的自旋轨道耦合、许多人，身体相互作用。这项研究将为这些领域的实验工作提供坚定的指导，并将有助于工程拓扑量子态和开发新应用的知识基础。该奖项还支持研究生和本科生学生训练在广泛的理论凝聚态技术。 一个以项目为导向的同伴指导计划，旨在吸引学生进入追求理论凝聚态研究也将提供一个教育资源，预计将增加代表性不足的学生的成功，较低的社会，通过有效地培训他们利用科学和数学之间的关键联系，并为他们提供获得有用的计算机编程和软件的机会，发展技能。