CAREER: Manipulation of Quantum Materials Through Strain

非技术摘要：人类社会的进步与材料的发现、认识和应用密切相关。纵观历史，根据材料划分时代，如石器时代、青铜器时代、铁器时代。当今时代正处于以半导体产业快速发展为特征的硅时代的边缘。然而，一种被称为量子材料的新材料正在出现，并且注定会像硅一样为人所熟知。这些材料对量子计算机等未来技术至关重要，它们在各种能量和长度尺度上表现出量子效应，从而产生独特的特性。尽管它们具有潜力，但对量子材料的理解仍然有限。本研究项目围绕通过单轴压力对量子材料的操纵来探索各种“紧急”现象。这种方法旨在加强对晶格如何影响量子材料相关性的理解，这是材料科学的一个基本但至关重要的方面。通过综合教育和外展努力，该项目通过前沿量子材料研究培养学生成为下一代科学领导者。与自然历史博物馆和密歇根大学科学与工程女性的合作，使公众，特别是科学界代表性不足的群体能够有效地参与其中。因此，该研究项目不仅旨在突破量子材料的知识界限，而且还寻求激励和授权不同的科学家社区，为科学和技术的进步做出重大贡献。技术摘要：基础物理研究中的一个主要问题是如何理解不能被视为非相互作用粒子的相互作用量子物体的集体行为。在凝聚态物理中，由许多原子组成的材料系统可以通过周期势和库仑相互作用来简化。然而，这个最简单的模型常常不能捕捉到交互的真正本质。另外，人们可以探索“突发”现象。具体来说，以强多体相互作用为特征的复杂量子材料，为研究迷人现象提供了理想的平台。此外，晶格、电荷、轨道和自旋四个基本自由度提供了广泛的奇异性质可调性，导致相关系统的丰富相图。对材料施加应力代表了一种新的方法来操纵它的四个基本自由度和对称性，而不受原子取代所带来的复杂性的影响。本研究项目旨在通过使用最新开发的现代单轴应力装置探测电子结构变化来推进对量子材料相关行为的理解。提出的研究分为四个重点：1)研究重费米子系统中应变对轨道混合的影响。2)利用应变控制各向异性二维磁体的磁性。3)揭示量子材料中应变诱导的涌现现象。4)发现具有敏感应变调谐潜力的新相关材料。这些研究项目为加强对量子材料的理解和探索其在各个领域的潜在应用提供了有希望的途径。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Non-technical abstract: The advancement of human society is closely linked to the discovery, understanding, and application of materials. Throughout history, epochs have been categorized based on the materials, such as the stone age, bronze age, and iron age. Current era stands on the edge of the silicon age, characterized by the rapid growth of the semiconductor industry. However, a new category of materials, known as quantum materials, is emerging and is destined to become as familiar as silicon. These materials, crucial for future technologies like quantum computers, exhibit quantum effects across various energy and length scales, resulting in unique properties. Despite their potential, understanding of quantum materials remains limited. This research project is centered around the manipulation of quantum materials through uniaxial pressure to explore various 'emergent' phenomena. This approach aims to enhance the understanding of how the lattice influences the correlation in quantum materials, a fundamental yet crucial aspect of material science. Through integrated education and outreach efforts, this project trains students as the next generation of leaders in science through cutting-edge quantum materials research. Collaborations with the Museum of Natural History and Women in Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan enable effective engagement with the public and particularly underrepresented groups in science. As a result, this research project not only aims to push the boundaries of knowledge in quantum materials but also seeks to inspire and empower a diverse community of scientists, making significant contributions to the advancement of science and technology.Technical abstract: A major question in basic physical research is how to understand the collective behavior of interacting quantum objects that cannot be treated as non-interacting particles. In condensed matter physics, material systems consisting of numerous atoms, can be simplified by periodic potentials and Coulomb interactions. However, this simplest model often fails to capture the true nature of interactions. Alternatively, one can explore 'emergent' phenomena. Specifically, complex quantum materials, characterized by strong many-body interactions, offer an ideal platform to investigate fascinating phenomena. Additionally, the four fundamental degrees of freedom—lattice, charge, orbital, and spin—provide extensive tunability of exotic properties, leading to rich phase diagrams for correlated systems. Applying stress to a material represents a novel approach to manipulating its four fundamental degrees of freedom and symmetry, free from complexities arising from atomic substitutions. This research project aims to advance the understanding of correlated behaviors in quantum materials by probing electronic structure changes using recently developed modern uniaxial stress devices. The proposed research is organized into four key thrusts: 1) Investigating the strain effect on orbital mixing in a heavy fermion system. 2) Controlling magnetism through strain manipulation in an anisotropic 2D magnet. 3) Unraveling strain-induced emergent phenomena in quantum materials. 4) Discovering new correlated materials with potential for sensitive strain tuning. These research projects represent promising avenues for enhancing the comprehension of quantum materials and exploring their potential applications across various fields.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.