Workshop on Next Generation Quantum Materials

Quantum mechanical effects play a defining role in materials properties exploited by modern technologies. The electronic energy level organization in solids with weakly interacting electrons distinguishes conductors from insulators. The semiconductor electronics revolution resulted from the manipulation of materials poised between these limits whose conducting properties could be easily tipped one way or another by small gate voltages. A similar revolution is offered by manipulating properties of materials with strongly interacting electrons. An example was the discovery and application of giant magneto-resistance (GMR), summarized in the New York Times headline, “Physics of Hard Drive Wins Nobel”(D. Overbye, N.Y. Times, October 10, 2007). Equally significant has been the discovery that in addition to symmetry, topology plays a crucial role in the nature of the quantum phase. The discovery of 2D topological insulators has recently been followed by the proposal of additional topological systems, including 3D topological systems, topological superconductors, and Weyl semimetals.

This workshop aims to bring together researchers from the condensed matter and materials communities simulating quantum materials but using traditionally different approaches: a) ab initio density functional based calculations and b) spin and multi-orbital Hamiltonian models. The discovery of high Tc cuprate superconductors three decades ago exposed limitations of methods used by both communities and motivated a wealth of developments aiming to address the multi-level complexity of these materials. Since then, effective ab initio methods for strongly correlated materials have been developed and Hamiltonian models have incorporated considerably more ingredients and complexity. These two communities are no longer separated by their distinct approaches but are integrated by the common issues they address. The workshop also aims to emphasize high pressure research as a means to manipulate interaction strengths and uncover quantum phase behavior.

Representative topics in this workshop include:

1) simulation methods for strongly correlated materials (ab initio and Hamiltonian models)

2) Superconductivity (cuprates and iron pnictides and chalcogenides)

3) Topological insulators

4) Giant magnetoresistance materials

5) High pressure and temperature studies (spin crossovers in earth minerals, cobaltites, superconductivity, etc)