Correlated Quantum Materials (CQM)

The Correlated Quantum Materials (CQM) group focuses on theoretically studying emerging quantum phenomena in solid-state systems. In particular, we are highly interested in materials where electronic correlations and topology yield exotic physics such as symmetry broken states, topological excitations and ultimately emerging fractionalized particles. A central part of our research focuses on two-dimensional materials, including graphene and two-dimensional magnetic materials. In our group, we aim to provide theoretical routes to engineer exotic states of matter in twisted van der Waals systems, including twisted graphene multilayers. As specific goals, we aim to unveil potential routes to engineer unconventional superconductors, quantum spin liquids, topological states and fractionalized matter in van der Waals materials.  Besides our purely theoretical research line, we often work in collaboration with experimental groups studying quantum materials in general, and two-dimensional materials in particular.

Current main research lines:

Emergent quantum phenomena in twisted van der Waals materials
Graphene and twisted van der Waals systems provide an outstanding platform to engineer elusive quantum phenomena. We are interested in developing new theoretical routes to exploit the flexibility of these materials to create exotic physics not accessible in conventional compounds. Among others, in this line, we recently showed how to generate artificial gauge fields, tunable frustrated magnets, and controllable correlated states in twisted graphene multilayers.

Interacting topology and exotic excitations in condensed matter systems
The interplay of strong electronic interactions and topology represents one of the most exciting lines in condensed matter, opening venues to engineer quantum excitations not present in nature, such as fractionalized excitations, supersymmetric excitations and emergent topological states. Among others, in this line, we recently showed how to create Chern insulators by exploiting interactions in topological metals, and how to engineer topological excitations by exploiting quasiperiodic many-body states.

Engineering and detecting unconventional superconductivity
Unconventional superconductors are highly pursued for their exotic quantum properties, and ultimately for their potential for topological quantum computing. However, these states are extremely rare to find and detect in nature, with very few compounds showing signatures of such physics. Among others, in this line, we recently showed how to create a topological superconductor with antiferromagnets, and how to detect non-unitary multiorbital superconductors in angle-resolved photo-emission spectroscopy experiments.