Project description
Turning to molecules, instead of atoms, to explore the exotic world of supersolids
Nature in the microscopic world ruled by quantum mechanics can behave in ways very different from everyday experience. Combining properties of a frictionless fluid and a crystalline state, supersolids are a prominent example. The existence of this exotic state of matter was proved experimentally in 2019 through studying the behaviour of magnetic atoms at temperature close to absolute zero. The goal of the EU-funded NEWMAT project is to establish a new experimental platform to study the properties of supersolids. Instead of magnetic atoms, researchers will study molecules which are much more complex quantum objects and can therefore provide completely novel insights into the properties of supersolids. Using high-resolution imaging techniques, they will observe and control the relevant processes at the level of single molecules.
Objective
Quantum mechanics becomes most fascinating when its counterintuitive phenomena are observable on a macroscopic scale. The goal of this project is to realize and study novel states of matter that are paradigmatic examples of such behaviour.
My primary focus is the paradoxical supersolid state of matter, which combines the crystal structure of a solid with the frictionless flow of a superfluid. The very existence of this state has been debated intensively for over 60 years. After decades of inconclusive efforts in helium, I have recently observed evidence for this state in magnetic quantum gases. This discovery has raised a plethora of new questions, which can be addressed with neither magnetic atoms nor helium, and thus require fundamentally new experimental approaches.
In this project I will use laser-cooled dipolar molecules to explore supersolidity far beyond the state of the art. Starting from an ultracold gas of molecules, I will study - from few to many-body - long-discussed scenarios for supersolidity. The use of flexible optical potentials will allow me to investigate the role of doping, defects, dimensionality and disorder on the formation and dynamics of a supersolid. By using high-resolution, single-molecule imaging, I will be able to follow the corresponding dynamics down to the most elementary level, where correlations and entanglement become accessible.
A particular significant generalization of this scenario arises when the spatial ordering competes with magnetic ordering. The molecules employed exhibit both electric and magnetic dipole moments and thus naturally feature the additional degree of freedom required to realize spin models. This will enable studying further exotic states of matter in which topological effects are expected to emerge.
The extraordinary clean and tunable experimental approach will facilitate a precise comparison with theory, and thus promises unprecedented insights into the nature of these new states of matter.
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.
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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)
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Topic(s)
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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
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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
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2020-STG
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1040 Wien
Austria
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