Physics Colloquium

Uncovering and exploiting emergent phenomena in quantum matter

Abstract:

Emergence is a ubiquitous feature of quantum condensed matter systems: the collective low-energy behavior of an interacting quantum many-body system oftentimes exhibits behavior profoundly different from that of the constituent degrees of freedom. In this talk, I will present a survey of recent results on one- and two-dimensional quantum systems which dramatically demonstrate this concept. In the first part of the talk, I will focus on a set of problems in which we are able to *uncover* — through both computational and analytical lines of attack — novel and striking emergent behavior in (1) the kagome Heisenberg antiferromagnet and (2) the half-filled Landau level. I will discuss the emergence and entanglement structure of fermionic spinons and composite fermions, respectively, in these two paradigmatic quantum condensed matter systems.

In the last part of the talk, I will switch gears and discuss how we can *exploit* emergent quantum phenomena for technological gain. In particular, I will discuss how Majorana fermions can emerge as zero-energy features of certain superconducting wires and how these Majorana zero modes can in principle be used to build superior quantum computing hardware: In this so-called topological approach to quantum computation, Majorana-based qubits remarkably allow perfect insensitivity to local noise as well as implementation of perfect quantum gates. Focusing on the former property, I will discuss our recent proposals for verifying topological (“perfect”) protection of quantum information in present-day devices being pursued vigorously by experimental groups at Microsoft and elsewhere. I will conclude by discussing several future directions of research in these areas.

Event Details

Date/Time:

  • Date: 
    Monday, February 19, 2018 - 3:00pm to 4:00pm

Location:
Marcus Nano Rm 1116-1118