CAREER: Quantum Dynamics and Topology in Low Dimensional Systems

非技术总结这个职业奖项支持凝聚态系统的研究和教育，这些凝聚态系统表现出超越微观制度的量子力学行为。量子力学是许多现有和新兴技术的基础。例如，计算机、手机和医学成像设备都有基于量子技术运行的关键部件。事实上，大会度量衡会议最近通过了一个以量子力学原理为基础的质量标准(即千克)。这个项目旨在开发和研究一系列可能用于下一步量子革命的量子现象。虽然我们生活的世界在基本层面上是由量子力学支配的，但大多数宏观物体看起来都是“经典的”，因为量子效应经常被远距离冲淡。这个项目的目标是研究量子行为如何在微观区域之外生存。PI和他的团队将寻找基本粒子，如电子，可以像原子形成分子一样结合在一起的方法。相反，PI还将寻求电子可以细分的方法，即集体行为，就像它们被分成多个粒子一样。这项研究的关键是了解粒子如何相互作用。量子技术成功的一个关键组成部分是广泛的量子力学素养。量子概念，特别是叠加和纠缠，是所有设备应用的核心，但科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)的学生对此知之甚少。PI将开发和测试自我指导教程，这些教程可以用来补充标准的物理学本科生/研究生教育，包括量子概念。一旦得到验证，这些教程就可以广泛传播并用于STEM教育。最终，这个项目寻求促进人们对量子现象的认识和更深入的理解。技术总结这个职业奖项支持凝聚态系统的研究和教育，这些凝聚态系统展示了量子力学行为和超越微观制度的现象学。虽然我们生活的世界在基本层面上是由量子力学支配的，但大多数宏观物体看起来都是“经典的”，因为量子效应经常在很长的距离内被冲淡。例如，虽然铁磁性的起源在微观层面上是量子力学的，但磁体的现象学通过经典电磁学得到了很好的描述。这项研究的重点是研究宏观上的量子效应，无视任何有效的经典描述。它的例子包括分馏化、去受限临界化和多体局部化。这些效应的共同点是它们涉及到强相互作用系统中的量子动力学和/或拓扑。该研究结合了分析和数值方法，在各种理论模型和实验环境中研究量子现象。这项建议的活动和目标包括：1)探索低维系统中复合激发(如对、三重子和四重子)的形成；2)开发和测试能够模拟量子动力学的算法，以研究驱动系统中的热化和局域效应；3)寻找从多体无序系统的静态关联中提取霍尔电导率等拓扑不变量的新方法。该项目还将包括改进量子力学的公众教育，为21世纪的研究培养未来的工程师和科学家，并满足对量子技术人员日益增长的需求。PI将开发、测试和实施适合STEM本科生和研究生的量子多体物理自我指导教程。这些教程将帮助学生掌握量子多体系统中的抽象概念(如纠缠)，并将基于强调支架式学习、同伴指导和断奶的学习模型。这些将是独立的模块单元，可以用来补充传统的课程，或用于独立的自学。该计划的评估将公布，并将公开提供教程，以便在所有感兴趣的机构中广泛传播和实施。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

NONTECHNICAL SUMMARYThis CAREER award supports research and education on condensed matter systems that exhibit quantum mechanical behavior beyond the microscopic regime. Quantum mechanics lies at the foundation of many existing and emerging technologies. For example, computers, cell phones, and medical imaging devices, all have critical components that operate on quantum technology. In fact, the General Conference on Weights and Measures has recently adopted a standard of mass (i.e., the kilogram) that is based on principles of quantum mechanics. This project aims to develop and study a wide collection of quantum phenomena that may be used in the next step of the quantum revolution.While the world we live in is governed by quantum mechanics at the fundamental level, most macroscopic objects appear "classical" because quantum effects are often washed out at large distances. The goal of this project is to study how quantum behavior can survive beyond the microscopic regime. The PI and his team will look for ways in which fundamental particles, such as electrons, can be bound together similarly to how atoms form molecules. Conversely, the PI will also seek ways in which electrons can fractionalize, i.e., behave collectively as if they were split up into multiple particles. Crucial to this research is understanding how particles interact with one another.A critical component to the success of quantum technology is the widespread literacy in quantum mechanics. Quantum concepts, notably superposition and entanglement, lie at the heart of all device applications and yet are poorly understood by students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The PI will develop and test self-guided tutorials that could be used to complement standard undergraduate/graduate education in physics to include quantum concepts. Once validated, these tutorials can be widely disseminated and used in STEM education. Ultimately, this project seeks to promote awareness and deeper understanding of quantum phenomena.TECHNICAL SUMMARYThis CAREER award supports research and education on condensed matter systems that exhibit quantum mechanical behavior and phenomenology beyond the microscopic regime. While the world we live in is governed by quantum mechanics at the fundamental level, most macroscopic objects appear "classical" because quantum effects are often washed out at large distances. For example, although the origin of ferromagnetism is quantum mechanical at the microscopic level, the phenomenology of magnets is well described via classical electromagnetism. The focus of this research is the study of effects that are macroscopically quantum, defying any effective classical description. Examples thereof include fractionalization, deconfined criticality, and many-body localization. The commonality shared by these effects is that they involve quantum dynamics and/or topology within strongly-interacting systems.The proposed research combines both analytical and numerical methods, to study quantum phenomena in a variety of theoretical models and experimental settings. The activities and goals of this proposal include: 1) Exploring the formation of composite excitations (such as pairs, trions, and tetrons) in low-dimensional systems, 2) Developing and testing algorithms that can simulate quantum dynamics, in order to study effects such as thermalization and localization in driven systems, 3) Finding new ways to extract topological invariants, such as Hall conductivity, from the static correlations of a many-body disordered system.This project will also entail improving public education in quantum mechanics, preparing future engineers and scientists for research in the 21st century and meeting the growing demand for quantum technologists. The PI will develop, test, and implement, self-guided tutorials on quantum many-body physics suitable for undergraduates and graduates in STEM. The tutorials will help students grasp abstract concepts in quantum many-body systems (such as entanglement), and will be based on learning models that emphasize scaffolded learning, peer-instruction, and weaning. These will be self-contained modular units that can be used to supplement traditional lectures, or be employed in independent self-study. The evaluation of this program will be published and the tutorials will be made available publicly to allow for wide dissemination and implementation across all interested institutions.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.