The Universe Within: Condensed Matter Research at the U

by Christoph BoehmeTHE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY HAS A DEDICATED TEAM OF EXPERIMENTAL CONDENSED MATTER (CME) PHYSICISTS EXPLORING THE ENIGMATIC WORLD OF CONDENSED MATTER IN THE QUEST FOR DISCOVERIES THAT REDEFINE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF NATURE ON THE QUANTUM SCALE.

This group's work, spanning from the study of quantum materials to the development of advanced spintronic devices, is not only a testament to their scientific prowess but also to their commitment to addressing some of the most pressing challenges in physics today.

Visiting CME faculty and potential collaborators will find that the department offers a comprehensive overview of its research operations, showcasing its state-of-the-art facilities and the innovative work being conducted. A review of the department’s six, celebrated CME laboratory operations reveals a rich landscape where advanced scientific inquiry meets real-world applications.

Z. Valy Vardeny's work revolves around optical, electronic and magnetic properties of novel materials. The research group’s groundbreaking work on the Rashba effect in hybrid organicinorganic perovskites, as detailed in a recent article in the journal Nature Communications, has opened new pathways in understanding and manipulating quantum materials with promising advancements in fields ranging from solar energy to quantum computing.

Shanti Deemyad and her research group explore the frontiers of matter under extreme conditions, especially extreme pressure. Her research focuses on the intriguing behavior of quantum materials like superconductors and quantum solids under varying pressures and temperatures. The Fermi surface of lithium under high pressure that she and her coworkers have elucidated is a testament to the department’s CME research endeavor to push the boundaries of known physics.

Vikram Deshpande’s laboratory is a hub of activity focusing on atomically-thin nanostructures, so called 2D-materials. This work includes research on Dirac materials, a cutting-edge area of contemporary condensed matter physics. Their landmark study on emergent helical edge states in a hybridized three-dimensional topological insulator opens the door to applications in spintronics and quantum computing, a step towards harnessing the unique properties of quantum materials for practical technologies that could revolutionize the electronic and computational landscape.

Eric Montoya’s lab offers research on an array of magnetic materials and spintronic devices, another testament to the department’s expertise in the field of magnetism and spin physics. Montoya’s innovative work on the development of the easy-plane spin Hall oscillators offers exciting prospects for advancements in telecommunications and spintronicsbased computing, indicating a future where technology is seamlessly integrated with advanced physics.

Andrey Rogachev’s research group investigates the fascinating world of superconducting nanowires and thin films. Their groundbreaking study provided crucial insights into the behavior of these low-dimensional structures under external magnetic fields, contributing significantly to our understanding of quantum critical phenomena. This research not only furthers our knowledge of superconductivity but also provides a foundation for future explorations into quantum computing and ultra-sensitive magnetic field sensors.

Christoph Boehme’s research group is a place where spin physics, quantum mechanics, and material science converge with their focus on the exploration of spindependent electronic transitions in condensed matter. Their recent breakthrough demonstrating the existence of Floquet spin states in organic light emitting diodes is representative of how the department's CME research programs succeed in bridging the gap between quantum physics and practical applications. <