Objective
Recent advances in laser technology, material fabrication, and innovative cavity designs have unlocked the potential for photo-engineering metastable phases in an increasing range of quantum materials and simulators. These strongly correlated systems pose fundamental questions about emergent, non-thermal phases that lack equilibrium counterparts. In contrast to the remarkable experimental progress, theory still cannot systematically describe, classify, or predict metastable phases. Existing theories either rely on phenomenological descriptions, which are hard to connect to specific systems, or focus on complex microscopic aspects, which obscure the mechanism of metastability. Developing a theory that integrates phenomenological intuition with predictive system-specific microscopic modelling would greatly aid the search for novel metastable phases.
This project is about establishing such a theory by merging the phenomenological Landau-Ginzburg description with advanced, microscopic computational tools based on the time-dependent Keldysh theory, e.g. Dynamical mean-field theory. Such fundamental development will enable us to classify metastability scenarios and identify their signatures in microscopically calculated response functions, enabling comparison with state-of-the-art experimental probes. The framework will facilitate the control of metastability, exemplified in three timely experimental setups: a) coherent switching protocols in Mott insulators with strong lattice coupling, b) novel super-radiant phase in a current-driven excitonic insulator within a cavity, and c) long-lived many-body hybrids of light and matter in a cavity quantum simulator. Realising these metastable states could enable transformative quantum technologies, such as ultrafast Mott switches, voltage-tunable excitonic lasers, and quantum memory devices in cavity-based quantum simulators. This project will enhance our control over metastability, opening new frontiers in quantum technology.
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.
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.
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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-2025-COG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
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.