The “quantumness” of quantum materials explored by resonant x-ray scattering

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Speaker(s): Alex Frañó

We are in exciting times for synchrotron science and condensed matter physics. Modern x-ray experiments offer a powerful tool to address fundamental questions about materials. In this colloquium, I will illustrate some intriguing cases involving materials in which electronic correlations yield intertwined, ordered patterns of the spin, charge and orbital character of the wave functions. I will discuss x-ray scattering methods which are key to investigate the interplay of such “quantum periodicities”, which turn out to be very important in governing the macroscopic physics. I will overview the recent discovery of charge ordering as a potentially crucial ingredient in high temperature superconductivity. Furthermore, exploiting the high cross-section and element specificity of resonant scattering, magnetism solely at interfaces between oxide layers can now be detected. In addition, applied magnetic fields can expose momentum-resolved coexistence of various magnetic phases in frustrated Kitaev systems. Finally, I will discuss far-reaching changes that are occurring in synchrotron facilities which will shape our research field throughout the next decades.

Colloquium

Junior and senior physics majors attend our biweekly colloquium series, held on Tuesday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. in Shanahan B460. The talks are open to all students and to the public, and are frequently attended by scientists from the other Claremont Colleges, Cal Poly Pomona, and others. The series features speakers from a broad range of institutions and fields of physics.