Understanding quantum materials with non-trivial topology by using uniaxial and hydrostatic pressure

• Grant number: 21/02314-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: June 01, 2021
• End date: November 10, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Donizeth dos Reis
• Grantee: Leonardo Oparacz Kutelak
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/00823-0 - New topological states of matter under extreme conditions, AP.JP
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/05447-2 - Pressure tuning transport properties of Weyl semimetals candidates EuB6 and MoTe2, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

This PhD project aims to advance our knowledge in quantum materials by using external pressure (hydrostatic and uniaxial), low temperature and high magnetic eld in order to enable a continuous, clean and reversible tuning of quantum interactions, thereby shedding light on the building blocks of these materials. Particularly, we will focus on three selected series of materials that are on the verge of a phase instability with distinct crystalline structures and with electronic behavior displaying nontrivial topology. Our aim is to use external pressure, both hydrostatic and uniaxial, low temperatures and high magnetic elds to drive materials through the critical region where the state of matter changes and inherently quantum eects dominate. Electronic, magnetic and structural properties will be measured as function of lattice contraction and resulting data compared with predictions from theoretical models. We hope that these results will provide answers to questions of deep concern to modern physics, such as how quantum uctuations and topology can be used to create states of matter with fascinating and functional properties. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PIVA, M. M.; WAWRZYNCZAK, R.; KUMAR, NITESH; KUTELAK, L. O.; LOMBARDI, G. A.; DOS REIS, R. D.; FELSER, C.; NICKLAS, M.. Importance of the semimetallic state for the quantum Hall effect in HfTe5. PHYSICAL REVIEW MATERIALS, v. 8, n. 4, p. 6-pg., 2024-04-29. (22/05447-2, 18/00823-0, 21/02314-9)