New Particles in Old Materials - Hunting Majorana Fermions in Quantum Spin Liquids

Add to your list(s) Download to your calendar using vCal

• Dr. Johannes Knolle, Imperial College London Department of Physics
• Wednesday 12 February 2020, 19:30-20:30
• Wolfson Lecture Theatre, Department of Chemistry, Lensfield Road.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Tommy Tai.

Spin liquids are collective phases of quantum matter which have eluded discovery in correlated magnetic materials for over half a century. These sought after phases display topological order and host exotic excitations like Majorana fermions normally discussed in high energy physics. I will discuss how these quasiparticles, which are their own antiparticle, can emerge in quantum materials and how to detect them in experiments.

About the Speaker: Dr Knolles joined Imperial as a Lecturer in 2017 after a postdoctoral position as a Marie Curie fellow at the University of Cambridge. His research has been centred around one of the great topics of modern physics — the search for unconventional quantum phases in correlated materials. This search does not only lead to a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles driving these phases but has also practical relevance for future quantum technology. The underlying theme of his work is to bridge the gap between novel theories and actual experiments. Advances in the theory of topological phases of matter happen in parallel to developments in materials science. His work combines both lines of research which is crucial for new discoveries. It is his characteristic approach to transfers abstract mathematics to experimentally relevant situations.

This talk is part of the Cambridge University Physics Society series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• All Talks (aka the CURE list)
• Cambridge University Physics Society
• Chris Davis' list
• Featured lists
• Guy Emerson's list
• Wolfson Lecture Theatre, Department of Chemistry, Lensfield Road
• bld31

Note that ex-directory lists are not shown.