Quantum Phenomena in Solids

非技术性总结该奖项支持材料内部电子量子物理的理论研究。即使是极少量的固体也含有大量的电子，当它们协调它们的行动时，可以产生显着的效果和有用的材料特性，如磁性，开关和超导性。该项目旨在发现这种影响的新例子，并扩大我们对现有影响的理解。特别是，该研究将研究不寻常的磁体和导体，为探索其新的量子能力的实验进行理论预测，并确定如何使用电磁场操纵这些材料中的电子。这项研究的一个核心组成部分是将最近开发的关于电子可以量子力学合作方式的抽象理论思想（称为纠缠和拓扑顺序）纳入实际的实验建议中。研究结果可能是新技术和量子器件的基础。所有的研究都将不断地与真实的材料和实验进行比较和参考，并通过这种反馈来完善理论方向，以确保在实验室中产生最大的影响。本科生和研究生以及博士后研究人员的培训是该项目不可或缺的组成部分。这些年轻的科学家将学习凝聚态和量子理论的前沿领域，并通过指导和研究合作，发展一般的科学，通信和计算能力。这些技能使他们能够有效地参与国家的量子劳动力。技术总结该奖项支持量子磁体和有序拓扑金属的量子物理理论研究，以发现电子共同作用产生新物质状态的基本机制，并预测这些状态具有哪些新特性。对量子磁体的研究将确定它们在平衡状态和非平衡状态下的动力学，为实验学家提供清晰的信号，以便在实验室中寻找高度纠缠（例如量子自旋液体）状态和有序状态。此外，该研究将设计通过振荡场原位控制材料性能的方法。有序拓扑金属的项目通过诱导对称破缺有序来控制材料的性质-它们的拓扑结构。这些研究将确定电子态的拓扑结构如何被不同类型的有序域和拓扑缺陷（例如拓扑磁体中的磁畴和畴壁）修改，以及这种拓扑结构如何影响这些域和缺陷的性质和响应。所有的研究都将不断地与真实的材料和实验进行比较和参考，并通过这种反馈来完善理论方向，以确保在实验室中产生最大的影响。本科生和研究生以及博士后研究人员的培训是该项目不可或缺的组成部分。这些年轻的科学家将学习凝聚态和量子理论的前沿领域，并通过指导和研究合作，发展一般的科学，通信和计算能力。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

NONTECHNICAL SUMMARYThis award supports theoretical research on the quantum physics of electrons inside materials. Even a tiny amount of a solid contains an enormous number of electrons, which, when they coordinate their actions, can induce remarkable effects and useful material properties, such as magnetism, switching, and superconductivity. This project seeks to discover new examples of such effects and expand our understanding of existing ones. In particular, the research will study unusual magnets and conductors, make theoretical predictions for experiments to probe their novel quantum capabilities, and determine how to manipulate the electrons within these materials using electromagnetic fields. A core component of the study is to incorporate recently developed abstract theoretical ideas about ways in which electrons can cooperate quantum mechanically, known as entanglement and topological order, into practical proposals for experiments. The results of the research may be the basis of new technologies and quantum devices. All the research will be continuously compared with and referenced to real materials and experiments, with this feedback refining directions for theory to ensure maximum impacts in the laboratory.Training of undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral researchers is an integral component of this project. These junior scientists will learn forefront areas of condensed matter and quantum theory, as well as develop general scientific, communication, and computational proficiency, through mentorship and collaboration on the research. These skills prepare them to participate productively in the nation's quantum workforce.TECHNICAL SUMMARYThis award supports theoretical research on the quantum physics of quantum magnets and ordered topological metals, to discover the fundamental mechanisms in which electrons act together to produce new states of matter, and to predict what novel properties these states possess. The studies of quantum magnets will determine their dynamics in and out of equilibrium, providing experimentalists with clear signatures to seek in the laboratory, both for highly entangled (e.g. quantum spin liquid) states and for ordered ones. Furthermore, the research will design ways to control materials' properties in situ via oscillating fields. The projects on ordered topological metals address a different way to control materials' properties - their topology - through induced symmetry breaking order. The studies will determine how the topology of electronic states is modified by domains and topological defects of different types of order, such as magnetic domains and domain walls in topological magnets, and in turn, how this topology influences the properties and responses of those domains and defects. All the research will be continuously compared with and references to real materials and experiments, with such feedback refining directions for theory to ensure maximum impacts in the laboratory.Training of undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral researchers is an integral component of this project. These junior scientists will learn forefront areas of condensed matter and quantum theory, as well as develop general scientific, communication, and computational proficiency, through mentorship and collaboration on the research. These skills prepare them to participate productively in the nation's quantum workforce.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.