3:30–4:30 pm
Maria Goeppert-Mayer Lecture Hall
Kersten Physics Teaching Center
Room 106
5720 S. Ellis Avenue
Synthesizing “Toy Model” Quantum Materials
Joseph Checkelsky, MIT
Connecting theoretical models for exotic quantum states to real physical systems is a key goal in the study of quantum materials. Among such theoretical models, a “toy model” is one made deliberately simplistic in order to demonstrate new physical concepts and their underlying mechanisms. Such models have proven to be tremendously successful in offering insight into new condensed matter phenomena including those involving electronic topology and correlation. We describe here our recent progress in experimentally realizing “toy model” quantum materials which, in analogy to their theoretical counterparts, are designed to capture simple model systems by lattice and superlattice design. We detail developments in synthesizing and studying magnetic and superconducting materials that allow for new connections to long-standing predictions for unusual topological electronic phases. We close with a perspective for realizing further toy model systems in complex material structures.