Project description
A complete solution to the fermion sign problem
The fermion sign problem is the biggest obstacle in quantum Monte Carlo calculations. A solution is needed to shed light on these questions: What is the nature of the insulator-to-metal phase transition of hydrogen at high pressure? How do the electronic properties of hydrogen impact the evolution of giant planets and brown dwarfs? How can a hydrogen pellet best be compressed to efficiently produce electrical power in a fusion reactor? The ERC-funded PREXTREME project will explore a novel solution to address those issues. The project’s approach will revolutionise quantum many-body theory, with important implications for a gamut of fields including high-temperature superconductivity.
Objective
Matter at extreme densities and temperatures is ubiquitous in nature and occurs, e.g. in planetary interiors. In addition, such warm dense matter (WDM) conditions are of high importance to technological applications such as nuclear fusion. Therefore, there has been a remarkable investment in the experimental realization of WDM in large research facilities around the globe, leading to a number of spectacular discoveries.
Yet, the absence of a reliable theoretical description of WDM is severely hampering this progress. This is best illustrated by considering hydrogen, the most simple and abundant element in the universe. Even here, a multitude of pressing questions continues to be unanswered: What is the nature of the insulator-to-metal phase transition of hydrogen at high pressure? How do electronic properties of hydrogen impact the evolution of giant planets and brown dwarfs? And how can a hydrogen pellet best be compressed to efficiently produce electrical power in a fusion reactor?
The central obstacle on the path towards answers to these questions is the fermion sign problem, one of the most fundamental computational bottlenecks in physics, chemistry, and related disciplines. Recently, a number of methodological breakthroughs has allowed me to present the first accurate data for the electronic properties of WDM over substantial parts of the relevant parameter space. This was achieved using supercomputers and the data-driven construction of AI surrogate models.
In PREXTREME, I propose to explore a hitherto unattempted complete solution to the sign problem, which will allow me to answer many questions about warm dense hydrogen and heavier elements with a direct impact on applications in material science, astrophysical models, and nuclear fusion. Moreover, my envisioned approach will revolutionize quantum many-body theory, with important implications for a gamut of fields including high-temperature superconductivity, high-pressure-physics and ultracold atoms.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics fermions
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences planets
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering computer hardware supercomputers
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics superconductivity
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-STG
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01328 Dresden
Germany
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