Lattice geometry and qualitative phase diagram.
(A) Lattice geometry. A, B, C, D, and E mark the five sites of a unit cell.
(B) The Wannier orbitals we construct, which form a triangular lattice (the orange dots).
(C) Illustration of the zero-temperature phase diagram that we determine, for the Hubbard interaction (U) that is larger than the width of the flat band (Dflat) and smaller than the width of the wide bands (Dwide), with the Fermi surface (FS) changing from large to small as the interaction U is increased across the orbital-selective Mott QCP.
Credit: Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg0028
Rice University physicists have demonstrated the potential for entangling immutable topological states, which are highly sought-after for quantum computing, with other manipulable quantum states in certain materials. This surprising discovery establishes a connection between different subfields of condensed matter physics that have focused on distinct emergent properties of quantum materials. For instance, in topological materials, quantum entanglement patterns produce protected states that could revolutionize quantum computing and spintronics. On the other hand, strongly correlated materials exhibit behavior such as unconventional superconductivity and continuous magnetic fluctuations in quantum spin liquids due to the entanglement of billions of electrons. The research conducted by Rice University physicists Qimiao Si and Haoyu Hu investigates electron coupling in a frustrated lattice arrangement, similar to those found in metals and semimetals with flat bands. They developed and tested a quantum model to explore the behavior of electrons in these materials. Their findings revealed that electrons from d atomic orbitals can become part of larger molecular orbitals shared by multiple atoms in the lattice. Furthermore, they observed that electrons in molecular orbitals can become entangled with other frustrated electrons, leading to strongly correlated effects similar to those found in heavy fermion materials. This provides a promising avenue for controlling topological states of matter. While f-electron systems serve as clean examples of strongly correlated physics, they are not practical for everyday use due to requiring extremely low temperatures. However, the d-electron systems studied by Si and Hu allow for efficient electron coupling, even in the presence of a flat band, potentially enabling the study of exotic physics at higher temperatures. The ability to achieve f-electron-like physics at higher temperatures opens up exciting possibilities for practical applications.
Quantum physicist Qimiao Si is Rice University’s Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Physics and Astronomy and director of the Rice Center for Quantum Materials.
Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University
This research contributes to the ongoing effort led by Si to develop a theoretical framework for controlling topological states of matter. By understanding and manipulating these states, scientists can harness their unique properties for a wide range of applications, including quantum computing and advanced electronics. These findings open up new possibilities for future research in the field of condensed matter physics and pave the way for the development of groundbreaking technologies.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2023-08-materials-immutable-topological-states-entangled.html
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