Project description DEENESFRITPL 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. Show the project objective Hide the project objective 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 natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabasesnatural scienceschemical sciencesphysical chemistryquantum chemistryengineering and technologymaterials engineeringnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physicsultrafast lasersnatural sciencesphysical sciencesmolecular and chemical physics Programme(s) HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2021-ADG - ERC ADVANCED GRANTS Call for proposal ERC-2021-ADG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme HORIZON-AG - HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based Host institution UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TRENTO Net EU contribution € 2 117 141,00 Address VIA CALEPINA 14 38122 Trento Italy See on map Region Nord-Est Provincia Autonoma di Trento Trento Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 2 117 141,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TRENTO Italy Net EU contribution € 2 117 141,00 Address VIA CALEPINA 14 38122 Trento See on map Region Nord-Est Provincia Autonoma di Trento Trento Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 2 117 141,00
