Public Abstract

DE-SC0025632: Advancing the Quantum Magnetism Frontier in the Topology Era

Award Status: Active

Institution: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
UEI: XF3XM9642N96
DUNS: 002604817

Most Recent Award Date: 09/17/2024
Number of Support Periods: 1
PM: Mewes, Claudia

Current Budget Period: 07/01/2024 - 06/30/2025
Current Project Period: 07/01/2024 - 06/30/2029
PI: Venderbos, Jörn

Supplement Budget Period: N/A

Public Abstract

Advancing the Quantum Magnetism Frontier in the Topology Era Dr. Jörn Venderbos, Assistant Professor Department of Physics and Department of Materials Science and Engineering Drexel University Philadelphia, PA 19104 Topology is now firmly established as one of the organizing core principles for our understanding of quantum phases of matter. This is not only true for insulators and metals that are well-described by single-particle physics, but also extends to materials with strong correlations, such as magnets and superconductors. The goal of this project is to advance the theory of topological magnetism and bridge the gap between formal classifications of magnetic topological phases, which are known, and identifying, interrogating, and controlling such phases in real materials, which remains a key challenge. This is in fact a broader challenge for topological phases with strong interactions and stems in part from the formidable effort often required to gain insight into the behavior of materials which exhibit strong correlations between electrons. Several new frontiers in quantum magnetism, which have exposed unexplored properties of magnetic materials, offer a highly compelling opportunity to advance our understanding of correlations and topology. These include the observation and control of magnetism in layered van der Waals materials, even down to monolayer systems, and the discovery of new types of magnets - referred to as "altermagnets" - which provide unexpected venues for topological magnetism. The design of this project leverages and further advances these developments in key areas. The central objectives include developing methods to study, characterize, and predict the experimentally accessible charge and magnetic excitations in topological magnetic metals and insulators, and the exploration of pathways for realizing new topological phases by quantum and thermal melting of unconventional magnetic order. In a broad sense, this project offers a roadmap for advancing our understanding of magnetism in the topology era to fruitfully connect and exploit the realms of ideas, models, and materials. This research was selected for funding by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences. _____________________________________________________________________________________

Advancing the Quantum Magnetism Frontier in the Topology Era

Dr. Jörn Venderbos, Assistant Professor

Department of Physics and Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA 19104

Topology is now firmly established as one of the organizing core principles for our understanding of quantum phases of matter. This is not only true for insulators and metals that are well-described by single-particle physics, but also extends to materials with strong correlations, such as magnets and superconductors. The goal of this project is to advance the theory of topological magnetism and bridge the gap between formal classifications of magnetic topological phases, which are known, and identifying, interrogating, and controlling such phases in real materials, which remains a key challenge. This is in fact a broader challenge for topological phases with strong interactions and stems in part from the formidable effort often required to gain insight into the behavior of materials which exhibit strong correlations between electrons. Several new frontiers in quantum magnetism, which have exposed unexplored properties of magnetic materials, offer a highly compelling opportunity to advance our understanding of correlations and topology. These include the observation and control of magnetism in layered van der Waals materials, even down to monolayer systems, and the discovery of new types of magnets - referred to as "altermagnets" - which provide unexpected venues for topological magnetism. The design of this project leverages and further advances these developments in key areas. The central objectives include developing methods to study, characterize, and predict the experimentally accessible charge and magnetic excitations in topological magnetic metals and insulators, and the exploration of pathways for realizing new topological phases by quantum and thermal melting of unconventional magnetic order. In a broad sense, this project offers a roadmap for advancing our understanding of magnetism in the topology era to fruitfully connect and exploit the realms of ideas, models, and materials.

This research was selected for funding by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences.

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