Objective Electrons moving in a solid experience strong Coulomb repulsive interactions. These interactions can lead to extraordinarily fascinating and complex behavior at low temperatures, such as superconductivity and the quantum Hall effect. This proposal deals with the properties of many-electron systems in which the electron-electron interactions play an important role, changing the low-energy physics qualitatively, and leading to novel quantum states of matter which cannot be described by models of weakly interacting particles. In the first part of this proposal, I intend to pursue a new theoretical method of studying the properties of quantum critical points in metals. Such transitions are ubiquitous in many correlated materials, such as the high-temperature superconductors, and may hold the key to understanding some of the properties of these materials. The new technique relies on formulating a model which can be simulated numerically in an efficient manner, avoiding the well-known “fermion sign problem” which often hinders the study of models involvingfermions. Extensions of this technique to other fermionic models will also be explored.In the second part of the proposal, I will study properties of interaction-driven electronic phases that have an underlying topological structure. Such systems have drawn much attention in condensed matter physics, especially over the last few years, following the discovery of the topological insulators. I will propose new ways of realizing time-reversal invariant topological superconducting phases in composite structures of superconductors and semiconductor materials. Finally, I will study how interfaces between superconductors and quantum Hall systems, either in the integer or fractional regime, can lead to new types of topological phases which may be interesting from a quantum information processing perspective. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencescondensed matter physicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physicsfermionsnatural sciencesmathematicspure mathematicstopologynatural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicssemiconductivitynatural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicssuperconductivity Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG - Marie-Curie Action: "Career Integration Grants" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG) Coordinator WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE EU contribution € 100 000,00 Address HERZL STREET 234 7610001 Rehovot Israel See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Gabi Bernstein (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
