Theoretical Investigation of Quantum Materials: Superconductors, Dirac-Weyl Semimetals and other Graphene-like Materials

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Quantum materials are essential to the technologies of our modern world. This research program addresses two major areas of quantum materials research. One is the potential for discovery and understanding of superconductors operating at near room temperature. Superconductors are currently used in MRI machines in hospitals and are being developed for power transmission cables and magnetically-levitated high speed trains, among other applications. The current generation of materials only operates at very low temperature near -270oC requiring expensive liquid helium which is also in limited supply. Vast improvements could occur with the discovery of near room temperature superconductors, which would need little or no cooling. We are investigating mechanisms in materials that can give rise to such possibilities. A second direction is the investigation of so-called Dirac-Weyl materials. The recent discovery of such materials (graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms, is a prominent example) has pushed the development of new technologies for solar cells, flexible electronics, quantum computing, salt water filtration and more. This research program proposes a new direction for materials discovery by considering the possibility of new systems which we call hybrid pseudospin Dirac materials. These systems could have novel properties relevant to technology. Along with these systems, the realm of newly discovered exotic graphene-like materials such as Weyl semimetals, topological insulators, and others, will be investigated theoretically for many properties. Particular emphasis will be on optical response which may be relevant to optoelectronics applications. Graduate students and other highly qualified personnel will receive high-level training for eventual careers in industry and academia. This research program is expected to contribute to the rapid development of new quantum materials important to technology and society.