VBFF Correlated Topological Materials in a New Light
Abstract
While Moore s law has successfully predicted the exponential growth of electronics for nearly 50 years, the optimization in size, cost, and power efficiency will plateau in 2025, as miniaturization nears the atomic limits. Evolving past the limitations of Moore#slaw requires a paradigm shift in materials (#beyond silicon#), functionalities (electronic vs. optical responses), and control. Theadvances in topological materials over the last decade make these systems a viable platform to realize such a leap #beyond Moore#s law# and overcoming its limitations.Most known topological materials rely on electronic degrees of freedom (and weak correlations). Conversely, high temperature superconductors epitomize the behavior in strongly correlated materials without topology. Correlated topological systems wield the combined power of charge, lattice, and topological degrees of freedom. However, the experimental discovery, tuning and control of correlations and topology in quantum materials remains one of the grand challenges of today, en route to the science, technology and engineering capabilities of tomorrow. This is exacerbated by the fact that design and discovery of novel materials lags behind both theory and experimental characterization, because of an enormous number of compounds that cannot be adequately described by theoretical models, and also because of the current synthesis limitations.This project will address the central need for advances in quantum science and engineering, through an innovative approach geared towards new correlated topological materials, new functionalities, and new property control. Our vision will move correlated topological systems to the next level of electronic devices with transformative properties and functionalities. In particular, correlated topological materials have surface properties distinct from bulk, endowing them with resilience (improved strength, light weight, high efficiency) and functionalities (topological quantum computing, high-efficiency energy conversion, novel sensors, topological electronic devices TEDs) that other materialsdo not have. The proposed fundamental and technological advances in this proposal are underscored by discoveries of new materials, and access to previously inaccessible materials spaces (e.g., topological superconductors, 3D flat band intermetallics, quantum spinliquids, unpredicted materials and functionalities). Therefore, an overarching theme of this project is the design and discovery ofnew correlated topological materials, enabled by our new development in crystal growth at high temperatures.At the heart of the proposed research is the training of the next generation of scientists with expertise in materials design and crystal growth. Graduate students and postodoctoral fellows, as well as talented Rice undergraduate students will be trained in state-of-the-art crystal growth techniques, materials characterization and instrument engineering. The research itself will rely on the synergy between theoretical insight, precise materials synthesis, structural, electronic and magnetic characterization.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 14, 2024
- Source ID
- N000142512048
Entities
People
- Emilia Morosan
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Rice University
- United States Navy