Quantum phenomena in solids

技术总结该奖项支持旨在理解和控制固体中量子关联的理论研究。从长远来看，这项研究计划的两个目标是：(1)设计和开发具有目前所没有的有用功能的新材料和结构，以及(2)扩展基本的科学框架，以理解新制度和新阶段的物质。为了实现这些目标，需要研究的三个主要课题是：(1)高量子磁性，(2)由拓扑绝缘体衍生的材料，(3)相关的氧化物界面。可以预见，这些领域之间将会有协同作用。这项研究将使用一系列不同的理论技术进行，包括唯象模型、统计力学、场论、从头计算模拟、密度矩阵重整化群和对称性分析。这项研究计划的总体风格是在真实材料中发展和实现固体理论中的深层理论思想。第一个主题是量子磁学，它是检验奇异的、非局域纠缠量子态理论的最理想的舞台。量子自旋液体和磁化过程的研究非常及时，与它们提出的一系列实验发现和问题不谋而合。第二个主题为拓扑绝缘体的活跃领域定义了新的方向，重点关注基本理论问题仍然存在的问题，以及材料合成的机会存在的地方。在第三个关于相关界面的主题中，将讨论这一领域的基本问题，如金属-绝缘体转变背后的驱动力以及由极化不连续引起的载流子的性质。该奖项还支持凝聚态理论前沿的研究生和博士后研究助理的教育。PI将把研究的方法和结果纳入教材，并让本科生参与研究，为他们追求高等物理教育提供动力。该小组还将通过该小组广泛的网站和评论文章，向专家和非专家受众传播研究结果。非技术总结该奖项支持旨在理解和控制固体中量子力学关联的理论研究。这项研究的重点是在现代材料中观察到或可以工程制造的新现象，目的是为这些材料设计新型的功能，并扩展描述量子现象的理论框架。在最基本的层面上，这项工作将描述具有显著性质的物质的新相，并决定如何在实验室中研究和利用这些性质。该奖项还支持在凝聚态理论前沿领域培养一名研究生和一名博士后研究助理。PI将把研究的方法和结果纳入教材，并让本科生参与研究，为他们追求高等物理教育提供动力。该小组还将通过该小组广泛的网站和评论文章，向专家和非专家受众传播研究结果。

TECHNICAL SUMMARYThis award supports theoretical research aimed at understanding and controlling quantum correlations in solids. In the long term, the two goals of this research program are:(1) Design and development of new materials and structures with useful functionalities that are not currently available, and (2) Extending the basic scientific framework to understand matter in novel regimes and phases. The three main topics to be studied to achieve these goals are: (1) highly quantum magnetism, (2) materials derived from topological insulators, and (3) correlated oxide interfaces. It is envisioned that there will be synergy between these areas. The research will be carried out using a diverse set of theoretical techniques including phenomenological modeling, statistical mechanics, field theory, ab initio simulations, density matrix renormalization group, and symmetry analysis.The general style of this research program is to develop and bring deep theoretical ideas in the theory of solids into fruition in real materials. Quantum magnetism, the first topic, is the most ideal arena to test theories of exotic, non-locally entangled quantum states. Research on quantum spin liquids and magnetization processes is very timely, coinciding with a burst of experimental discoveries and questions raised by them. The second topic defines new directions for the active area of topological insulators, focusing on problems where fundamental theoretical issues still reside, and where opportunities are present for materials synthesis. In the third topic on correlated interfaces, essential issues in this field, such as the driving forces behind the metal-insulator transition and the nature of carriers induced by polarization discontinuities, will be addressed.This award also supports the education of a graduate student and a postdoctoral research associate at the frontiers of condensed matter theory. The PI will incorporate the methods and results from the research into teaching materials, and involve undergraduate students in research providing motivation for them to pursue higher education in physics. The PI will also be involved in disseminating the research results to specialist as well as non-specialist audiences via the group's extensive web site and review articles. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARYThis award supports theoretical research aimed at understanding and controlling quantum mechanical correlations in solids. Focusing on novel phenomena which have been observed or can be engineered in modern materials, the goal of the research is to devise new types of functionalities for these materials, and to expand the theoretical framework which describes quantum phenomena. At the most fundamental level, the work will describe new phases of matter with remarkable properties, and determine how to study and harness those properties in the laboratory. This award also supports the education of a graduate student and a postdoctoral research associate at the frontiers of condensed matter theory. The PI will incorporate the methods and results from the research into teaching materials, and involve undergraduate students in research providing motivation for them to pursue higher education in physics. The PI will also be involved in disseminating the research results to specialist as well as non-specialist audiences via the group's extensive web site and review articles.