Project description
New theoretical foundations support the prediction and discovery of photoinduced phases in materials
Phase transitions and broken symmetry are interrelated and widespread in physics, mathematics, and engineering, fundamental to phenomena from superconductivity to the particle physics of the early universe. Broken symmetry with a phase transition means that the new state has a symmetry not shown by the system in its ground state. Ultrafast lasers can induce reversible and irreversible phase transitions but the theory to explain these phenomena is largely lacking. The EU-funded DELIGHT project plans to fill this knowledge gap, developing a theoretical strategy to predict and discover photoinduced phases in materials. It will guide future experiments and the rational development of novel materials and devices.
Objective
Ultrafast lasers sources open new perspectives in exploring broken symmetry phases as it becomes possible to promote a substantial number of electrons in excited states generating a thermalized electron-hole plasma and leading to reversible or irreversible phase transitions. Light-induced charge density waves, order-disorder transitions, melting, stabilization of topological phases and laser-tunable ferroelectricity have been demonstrated. Experiments are far ahead of theory as few (if any) of the demonstrated light-induced phenomena have been predicted by theory.
DELIGHT aims to develop a theoretical strategy to predict and discover photoinduced phases in materials. To accomplish this goal, we will develop quantum-chemical and molecular dynamics schemes including the effect of the thermalized electron-hole plasma on the crystal potential and accounting for light-induced non-perturbative quantum anharmonicity.
DELIGHT will answer these questions: which systems undergo light induced phase transitions ? Can we use light pulses to enhance or tune charge density wave, ferroelectric and magnetic critical temperatures, to generate new topological phases or to optimize the properties of thermoelectric materials ? Can we develop an inverse design strategy, namely given a target property, determine which material will have to be photoexcited and at which fluence to obtain it ?
The proposal will impact chemistry, physics, energy and material engineering. It could lead, for example, to the development of devices with dynamical light switching on/off of magnetism or ferroelectricity, relevant for ultrafast memories, or to the stabilization of new thermoelectric compounds with photo-tunable thermal conductivity and figure of merit. DELIGHT will foster these and similar developments by implementing a fundamentally new and unique database of out-of-equilibrium accessible states of matter that will be a reference for future experiments.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences databases
- natural sciences chemical sciences physical chemistry quantum chemistry
- engineering and technology materials engineering
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics ultrafast lasers
- natural sciences physical sciences molecular and chemical physics
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)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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.
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.
Funding Scheme
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.
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
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2021-ADG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
38122 Trento
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.