Project description
A wide-ranging theory of topological states of matter
Topological states of matter are characterised by subtle structures in the quantum entanglement between different degrees of freedom. New tools are required to analyse their properties. The EU-funded TMCS project aims to develop tools to identify, simulate and experimentally detect these structures/phases. The project will build a broad theory of strongly correlated topological states of matter in two and three dimensions. It will use non-symmorphic crystal symmetry as an organising principle to identify systems that are appropriate candidates to host fractionalised states of matter and study its influence on competing orders. The ultimate goal is to create an altered understanding of two- and three-dimensional topological phases and develop new classes of analytical and numerical tools.
Objective
This ERC project will build a wide-ranging theory of strongly-correlated topological states of matter in three dimensions, via analytical, numerical, and phenomenological approaches. It will use non-symmorphic crystal symmetry as an organizing principle to identify systems that are good candidates to host fractionalized states of matter. Via slave-particle mean-field theories used in concert with symmetry analysis, it will provide a systematic classification of different possible spin-charge-separated, topologically ordered, and broken-symmetry states in correlated Mott insulators and heavy-fermion materials. This mean-field study of model Hamiltonians will be wedded to a sophisticated new variational tensor-network scheme for simulating physically-realistic systems. Separately, an analytical classification of gapless ‘U(1)’ quantum spin liquids with emergent photon excitations will be implemented. Variational trial wavefunctions will also be developed to access a new class of interacting 'topological quantum paramagnets’ with gapless edge states.
The symmetry analysis will be coupled to two phenomenological studies. One will examine unconventional surface state properties of topological semimetals, and extend these to the interacting regime. Another will develop a spectroscopic theory for topological matter with symmetry, leveraging results from the parton approach where possible. Experimental input from studies of nematic quantum Hall states and photoemission studies of Weyl semimetals will provide feedback to this effort.
A final thrust of activity will focus on newly-proposed fracton states of matter not captured by usual theories of topological order, and will employ both analytical parton techniques and numerical quantum Monte Carlo simulations.
At its close, this project will deliver a dramatically altered understanding of three dimensional topological phases and provide a new class of analytical and numerical tools as a platform for future studies.
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.
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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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - 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.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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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-2018-STG
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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.
OX1 2JD Oxford
United Kingdom
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.