Transition Metal Oxides: Emergent Phases and Interfaces

什么原理支配着结晶固体中电子的组织？我们能控制电子的组织和动力学吗？我们能制造多薄的超导体，同时还能保持它的超导特性？两种不同晶体之间的纳米级界面能否出现超导性？光与物质的相互作用能在固体中导致新的光诱导电子态吗？这些状态会导致新型光伏发电吗？在这些基本问题上取得进展是合成纳米级设备和创造新能源和通信技术的关键，这两项技术都有望为加拿大带来巨大利益。***在简单的结晶固体中，电子的组织受量子力学的基本定律和泡利原理中编码的量子统计的支配。然而，当强电子相互作用变得重要时，电子可以以全新的方式组织，产生显着的新特性，如高温超导性，巨大的磁阻，或液晶有序。过渡金属氧化物是一种复杂的材料，它提供了这种新兴量子行为的典型例子，具有一系列应用，从低功耗传输线到固态驱动器，氧化物催化剂和新型光伏电池。这项研究计划的长期目标是获得晶体过渡金属氧化物中电子量子行为的基本知识，为加拿大社会带来潜在的长期经济效益。***这个建议集中在两个相互交织的研究方面。第一部分涉及含有重过渡金属的大块过渡金属氧化物的理论研究。了解这些元素的强自旋轨道耦合如何影响超导性、磁性和电子输运等性质是关键目标，这在广泛的多功能氧化物中非常重要。研究的第二部分涉及过渡金属氧化物的界面或量子阱的理论研究，这可以揭示超薄相关材料。该研究项目将在氧化物物理学中确立重要里程碑，并为未来复杂量子材料的研究奠定基础

What principles govern the organization of electrons in a crystalline solid? Can we control the organization and dynamics of electrons? How thin can we make a superconductor and still retain its superconducting properties? Can superconductivity emerge at the nanoscale interface between two different crystals? Can light-matter interaction lead to new optically-induced electronic states in solids? Can these states lead to new types of photovoltaics? Making progress on such fundamental issues is the key to synthesizing nanoscale devices, and creating new energy and communication technologies, both of which are expected to be of immense benefit to Canada.***In simple crystalline solids, the organization of electrons is governed by the fundamental laws of quantum mechanics, together with quantum statistics encoded in the Pauli principle. However, when strong electron interactions become important, the electrons can organize in entirely new ways, giving rise to remarkable new properties such as high temperature superconductivity, colossal magnetoresistance, or liquid crystalline order. Transition metal oxides are complex materials which provide a canonical example of such emergent quantum behavior, with a slew of applications ranging from low power loss transmission lines, to solid state drives, oxide catalysts, and novel photovoltaics. The long-term objective of this research programme is to acquire fundamental knowledge about the quantum behavior of electrons in crystalline transition metal oxides, with potential long-term economic benefits to Canadian society.***This proposal focuses on two intertwined strands of research. The first strand deals with the theoretical study of bulk transition metal oxides containing heavy transition metals. Understanding how the strong spin-orbit coupling in these elements impacts properties such as superconductivity, magnetism, and electron transport, is the key goal, which is of great importance in a broad class of multifunctional oxides. The second strand of the proposed research deals with the theoretical study of interfaces or quantum wells of transition metal oxides, which can shed light on ultrathin correlated materials. The research programme will establish fundamental milestones in oxide physics, and set the stage for future investigations of complex quantum materials.**