Project description
Exploring the dynamics of moiré patterns
Moiré structures emerge from interference, specifically when two system layers overlap and rotate at a certain angle, for example atoms in a crystal material. Funded by the European Research Council, the SIESS project aims to develop theoretical models to elucidate strong correlation and superconductivity observed in moiré superlattice systems. Numerical simulations will guide these models, with a broader goal of enhancing understanding of other strongly correlated electron materials. Researchers will explore the nature of broken-symmetry orders in different moiré materials, the origin of superconductivity in carbon-based moiré materials and the potential realisation of exotic fractionalised metals in moiré materials. Project results will help guide future experiments and potentially lead to the experimental observation of spin liquids in moiré systems.
Objective
Recent experiments on a class of atomically-thin two-dimensional materials, called moiré superlattice systems, have uncovered an entirely new and fascinating world of enigmatic strong-correlation physics and superconductivity. This project will develop theoretical models to explain these intriguing experimental observations. Numerical simulations will play an important role in guiding the theoretical models. An overarching goal is also to explore what lessons we can learn from moiré materials that advance our understanding of other paradigmatic strongly-correlated electron materials such as e.g. the copper-oxide superconductors.
The particular objectives of this project are to understand
1) the nature of the broken-symmetry orders which appear in different moiré materials,
2) the origin of superconductivity observed in carbon-based moiré materials, and the role of the repulsive Coulomb interaction in the electron pairing mechanism,
3) whether exotic fractionalized metals are realized in moiré materials, and their potential role in explaining to the ‘pseudo-gap’ regime,
4) the Mott insulating ground states of twisted transition-metal dichalcogenides, and the parameter regimes where these correspond to long-range-entangled spin liquids.
These objectives address some of the most important and long-standing problems in condensed matter physics, such as e.g. developing a theoretical understanding of electron pairing in the presence of strong repulsive interactions, and the nature of the pseudo-gap phase – which seems to be ubiquitous in strongly-correlated materials. The results obtained in this project will guide future experiments, and enhance the possibility of realizing exotic phases of quantum matter, such as spin liquids, in the lab. The experimental observation of spin liquids in moiré systems would constitute a milestone in the field of strongly-correlated materials.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC GrantsHost institution
9000 Gent
Belgium