I - 34151 Trieste Italy
(+39) 040 2240 111
pio@ictp.it
With about 30 members, an intense programme of workshops, a constant flow of visitors, and close collaborations with local scientific institutions such as SISSA, Elettra, and the University of Trieste, the Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics (CMSP) section is a vibrant international research environment for scientists from every corner of the world.
Research in the CMSP section spans some of the most exciting areas of theoretical condensed matter physics, including the physics of nanostructures, of many-body quantum systems at, or far from equilibrium, the computer simulations of fluids and solids with atomistic, molecular and electronic structure methods, and the design of new materials for renewable energy applications.
6 Feb 2018
Former MHPC student publishes new research together with ICTP researchers
31 Oct 2017
Postdoctoral and short-term visit positions available
14 Sep 2017
Two ICTP-based scientists awarded prestigious ERC Starting Grants
Europe/Rome 2018-02-22 11:00:00 2018-02-22 12:00:00 Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics Seminar: Engineering Synthetic Gauge Fields, Weyl Semimetals, and Anyons Abstract. I will present two topics of research in our group related to synthetic topological quantum matter [1]: (i) topological phases in 3D optical lattices, more specifically a proposal for experimental realization of Weyl semimetals in ultracold atomic gases [2], and (ii) anyons [3,4]. I will present one possible route to engineer anyons in a 2D electron gas in a strong magnetic field sandwiched between materials with high magnetic permeability, which induce electron-electron vector interactions to engineer charged flux-tube composites [3]. I will also discuss intriguing concepts related to extracting observables from anyonic wavefunctions [4]: one can show that the momentum distribution is not a proper observable for a system of anyons [4], even though this observable was crucial for the experimental demonstration of Bose-Einsten condensation or ultracold fermions in time of flight measurements. I will show how time of flight measurements can be used to extract anyonic statistics [4]. [1] N. Goldman, G. Juzeliunas, P. Ohberg, I. B. Spielman, Rep. Prog. Phys. 77, 126401 (2014). [2] Tena Dubček, Colin J. Kennedy, Ling Lu, Wolfgang Ketterle, Marin Soljačić, Hrvoje Buljan, Weyl points in three-dimensional optical lattices: Synthetic magnetic monopoles in momentum space, Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 225301 (2015). [3] M. Todorić, D. Jukić, D. Radić, M. Soljačić, and H. Buljan, The Quantum Hall Effect with Wilczek's charged magnetic flux tubes instead of electrons, arXiv:1710.10108 [cond-mat.str-el] [4] Tena Dubček, Bruno Klajn, Robert Pezer, Hrvoje Buljan, Dario Jukić, Quasimomentum distribution and expansion of an anyonic gas, Phys. Rev. A 97, 011601(R) (2018)- ICTP ICTP pio@ictp.it 22 Feb 2018
» Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics Seminar: Engineering Synthetic Gauge Fields, Weyl Semimetals, and Anyons
Europe/Rome 2018-02-27 11:00:00 2018-02-27 12:00:00 Joint ICTP/SISSA Statistical Physics Seminar: Entanglement in the XXZ Chain with a Gradient We study the XXZ spin chain in the presence of a slowly varying magnetic field gradient. First, it is shown that a local density approximation perfectly captures the ground-state magnetization profile. Furthermore, we demonstrate how the recently introduced technique of curved-spacetime CFT yields a very good approximation of the entanglement profile. Finally, the front dynamics is also studied after the gradient field has been switched off. SISSA, Via Bonomea 265, room 128 ICTP pio@ictp.it 27 Feb 2018
» Joint ICTP/SISSA Statistical Physics Seminar: Entanglement in the XXZ Chain with a Gradient
Europe/Rome 2018-02-28 11:00:00 2018-02-28 12:00:00 Joint ICTP/SISSA Statistical Physics Seminar: The Riemann Conjecture In August 1859 the young and still little known Bernhard Riemann presented a paper to the Berlin Academic titled 'On the number of primes less than a given quantity'. In the middle of that paper, Riemann made a guess - remark or conjecture - on the zeros of analytic function which controls the growth of the primes. Mathematics has never been the same since. The seminar presents the captive story behind this problem, which still remains one of the most famous unsolvable problems in mathematics, and show how progress can be made on its solution employing ideas and methods which come physics, i.e. from the stochastic world of random walks and alike. SISSA, Via Bonomea 265, rm 128 ICTP pio@ictp.it 28 Feb 2018
» Joint ICTP/SISSA Statistical Physics Seminar: The Riemann Conjecture
Europe/Rome 2018-03-08 11:00:00 2018-03-08 12:00:00 ICTP Seminar Series in Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics: Pumping Spin-Chain Materials and the Emergence of Generalized Gibbs Ensembles Weak perturbations can drive an interacting many-particle system far from its initial equilibrium state if one is able to pump into degrees of freedom approximately protected by conservation laws. We develop a theory of weakly driven integrable systems and show that pumping can induce large spin or heat currents even in the presence of integrability breaking perturbations, since it activates local and quasi-local approximate conserved quantities. The resulting steady state is qualitatively captured by a generalized Gibbs ensemble with Lagrange parameters that depend on the structure but not on the overall amplitude of perturbations nor the initial state. We suggest to use spin-chain materials driven by terahertz radiation to realize integrability-based spin and heat pumps. We also show that time-dependent generalized Gibbs ensembles accurately describe the time evolution of weakly driven, approximately integrable systems. ICTP ICTP pio@ictp.it 8 Mar 2018
» ICTP Seminar Series in Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics: Pumping Spin-Chain Materials and the Emergence of Generalized Gibbs Ensembles
Europe/Rome 2018-03-19 07:00:00 2018-03-23 21:00:00 School on Electron-Phonon Physics from First Principles | (smr 3191) A preliminary version of the programme is online and will be kept updated. Please note that applicants selected for participation are expected to take part in all sessions of the School starting on Mon. 19 March at 8 a.m. and ending on Fri. 23 March at 6 p.m. Participants should please take it into account when making travel plans to secure attendance from the very beginning of the activity till the end. * * * The School addresses senior PhD students and experienced researchers with prior working knowledge of DFT. Theoretical and hands-on training will focus on ab-initio calculations of many properties relating to the electron-phonon interaction, for applications in condensed matter physics, materials physics, and nanoscience. Starting from an introduction to the background on electron-phonon physics and related materials properties from the point of view of ab-initio calculations, we will show the participants how to perform cutting- edge electron-phonon calculations using a suite of electronic structure codes, including EPW, Wannier90, Quantum ESPRESSO, and ABINIT. Topics: • Density functional perturbation theory • Electron-phonon coupling • Phonon-assisted optical absorption • Maximally-localized Wannier functions • Temperature dependence of the electronic bandstructure • Electronic transport using the Boltzmann transport equation • Phonon-driven superconductivity Lecturers: S. de Gironcoli, SISSA P. Giannozzi, University of Udine F. Giustino, University of Oxford X. Gonze, Univ. Catholique of Louvain E. Kioupakis, University of Michigan E. R. Margine, Binghamton University-SUNY G. Pizzi, EPFL S. Poncé, University of Oxford Grants: A limited number of grants are available to support the attendance of selected participants, with priority given to participants from developing countries. There is no registration fee. Deadlines for application: expired * * * ICTP Secretariat contact: smr3191@ictp.it ICTP ICTP pio@ictp.it 19 Mar 2018 - 23 Mar 2018
» School on Electron-Phonon Physics from First Principles | (smr 3191)
Europe/Rome 2018-05-07 08:00:00 2018-05-18 22:00:00 School on Synchrotron and Free-Electron-Laser Methods for Multidisciplinary Applications | (smr 3202) The School will introduce young scientists to synchrotron and X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) based research with a glance to the future. The School’s interdisciplinary character will provide a stimulating environment for discussions with leaders in the field. DESCRIPTION X-ray based analytical methods play an increasingly important role in many domains of fundamental research and applied science. The international cast of lecturers will introduce the basic principles of advanced X-ray spectroscopy and scattering techniques. Emphasis will be given on how these techniques allow accessing the complexity of matter by monitoring the atomic arrangement, electronic, magnetic and chemical properties of individual building blocks and their response to external stimuli like temperature, pressure, electric or magnetic fields and light pulses. The program will be complemented by lectures on recent advances in synchrotron and XFEL sources enabling novel experimental methodologies. Demonstration sessions will be organized at Elettra’s synchrotron and XFEL facilities. TOPICS • Fundamentals of synchrotron and FEL radiation and production. • Beamlines: photon transport and handling • X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy • X-ray Crystallography and Powder Diffraction • Inelastic and Elastic Scattering (SAXS, WAXS and RIXS) • Photoelectron spectroscopy • Imaging techniques using X-rays and advantages using coherent X-rays • Spectromicroscopy and imaging using X-rays and IR • Time-resolved approaches using FELs and synchrotrons Grants: a limited number of grants are available to support the attendance of selected participants, with priority given to those from developing countries. Support for attending the School will also be provided by the H2020 funded European Cluster of Advanced Laser Light Sources (EUCALL) and the French research network XFEL-Science: - EUCALL will provide a limited number of travel bursaries for young scientists from European Laboratories. For more details and to apply, see the following web page: https://www.eucall.eu/bursaries/spring_school - The XFEL-Science network will provide a limited number of travel bursaries for students from French Laboratories. Please contact Jan Luning for more information when applying to the School. There is no registration fee. List of Lecturers G. Margaritondo (EPF-Lausanne) C. Fadley (LBNL & UC Davis) G. Ghiringhelli (Politecnico di Milano) M. N. Piancastelli (UPMC, Paris) J. Hajdu (Univ. Uppsala) J.P. Colletier (IBS, Genoble) A. Madsen (European XFEL, Hamburg) D. Rupp (MBI, Berlin) M. Harmand (UPMC, Paris) B. Ziaja-Motyka (CFEL, Hamburg) H. Lemke (SwissFEL, PSI) S. Molodtsov (European XFEL, Hamburg) P. Wernet (HZ-Berlin) M. Beye (DESY, Hamburg) L. Gianessi (ENEA, Rome) J. Luning (UPMC, Paris) P. Scardi (University of Trento) G. Aquilanti (Elettra, Trieste) E. Busetto (Elettra, Trieste) A. Gianoncelli (Elettra, Trieste) G. Tromba (Elettra, Trieste) A. Locatelli (Elettra, Trieste) H. Amenitsch (Graz Univ. of Technology) L. Vaccari (Elettra, Trieste) M. Zangrando (Elettra, Trieste) C. Masciovecchio (Elettra, Trieste) ICTP ICTP pio@ictp.it 7 May 2018 - 18 May 2018
» School on Synchrotron and Free-Electron-Laser Methods for Multidisciplinary Applications | (smr 3202)
Europe/Rome 2018-05-14 08:00:00 2018-05-18 22:00:00 International Conference on Multi-Condensate Superconductivity and Superfluidity in Solids and Ultra-cold Gases | (smr 3204) Deadline for requesting participation with financial support: 15 February 2018 Deadline for requesting participation without financial support: 1 March 2018 Participants wishing to present a poster during the Conference should kindly indicate this on the application by uploading a short abstract with their surname/name/institute address/ title and brief - max one page - description. PLEASE NOTE - The Organizers will select some of the abstracts for Oral Presentations. MAIN TOPICS: Novel quantum phenomena in multicomponent superconductors and superfluids Competing orders in multicomponent quantum systems Multicomponent superconductivity and superfluidity in 2D materials and heterostructures Topological effects in multicomponent quantum systems Vortical and skyrmionic states in multicomponent quantum fluids The standard picture of superconductors and superfluids is based on the existence of a single quantum condensate, but recent advances in material science and ultracold atoms opened a paradigm of multicomponent quantum fluids. New directions in this multifacetted and booming field are opened by emergent 2D materials, heterostructures, multiorbital materials, and ultracold atomic mixtures, in which superconductivity and superfluidity are readily realized, and where links between observed quantum effects can be made and knowledge can be cross-fertilized. This MultiSuper conference is aimed to help understand, quantify, and manipulate the effects of hybridization between multiple condensates in a single system, as a pathway to yet unseen quantum phenomena. The key experts will be assembled to present and interpret state-of-the-art experiments and theory, and advance fundamental physics and material science in this field. Confirmed speakers: Saeed Abedinpour (IASBS, Zanjan) Vanderlei S. Bagnato (University of Sao Paulo) Antun Balaz (Institute of Physics, Belgrade) Antonio Bianconi (RICMASS, Rome) Lara Benfatto (CNR and Rome “Sapienza”) Francois Dubin (INSP, Paris) Stephen D. Edkins (Cornell University, New York) Leonardo Fallani (LENS and University of Florence) Laura Fanfarillo (SISSA, Trieste) Stefano Giorgini (University of Trento) Walter Hofstetter (Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt) Allan MacDonald (University of Texas at Austin) David Neilson (University of Camerino & University of Antwerp) Muneto Nitta (Keio University, Tokyo) Sebastiano Peotta (Aalto University, Finland) Nick Proukakis (University of Newcastle, UK) Dimitri Roditchev (INSP, Paris) Carlos Sa de Melo (Georgia Tech, Atlanta) Arkady A. Shanenko (University of Pernambuco, Recife) Daniela Stornaiuolo (University of Naples Federico II) Jacques Tempère (University of Antwerp) Alexei Vagov (Bayreuth University) Andrey Varlamov (CNR-Spin, Rome) ICTP ICTP pio@ictp.it 14 May 2018 - 18 May 2018
» International Conference on Multi-Condensate Superconductivity and Superfluidity in Solids and Ultra-cold Gases | (smr 3204)
Europe/Rome 2018-06-11 08:00:00 2018-06-15 22:00:00 Conference on Quantum Dynamics of Disordered Interacting Systems | (smr 3212) The Conference will address the physics of disordered quantum many-body systems, with an emphasis on quantum dynamics of systems that are under active experimental investigation. The focus will be on the fundamental physics exhibited by novel systems and on emerging phenomena. Description Quantum dynamics of disordered many-body systems remains a vibrant research area. In particular, recent years have witnessed an outstanding interest in Anderson localization, one of most fundamental and ubiquitous phenomena in modern condensed matter physics in the many-body setting. Experimentally, it has become possible to explore the remarkably rich interplay of interaction and localization phenomena in a variety of quantum many-body systems. Concepts of quantum information theory, such as entanglement entropy and spectra, play a prominent role in the characterization of phases of strongly interacting disordered matter. The interplay of disorder and interaction effects becomes particularly intricate in systems with non-trivial topology, such as surfaces and edges of topological insulators. The Conference will bring together theorists and experimentalists to discuss recent progress and future perspectives. Topics Disordered quantum many-body systems, including cold atoms in magneto-optical traps, disordered semiconductors, electron glasses in amorphous systems, graphene, topological insulators, disordered superconducting lms and wires, and various implementations of quantum circuits; Many-body localization; Periodically driven systems, time crystals; Quantum information and entanglement; Topological phases; Transport in disordered interacting systems; Superconductor-insulator transitions; Disordered bosons, super uid-Bose glass transitions; Quantum quenches, far-from-equilibrium phenomena. List of Speakers John Bollinger (University of Colorado Boulder, USA) Piet Brouwer (Freie Universität Berlin, Germany) Pasquale Calabrese (SISSA, Trieste, Italy) Eugene Demler (Harvard University, USA) Jens Eisert Freie Universität Berlin, Germany) Rosario Fazio (ICTP, Trieste, Italy) Yuval Gefen (Weizmann Institute, Israel) Leonid Glazman (Yale University, USA) Igor Gornyi (KIT Karlsruhe, Germany) Moty Heiblum (Weizmann Institute, Israel) Vedika Khemani (Harvard University, USA) Curt von Keyserlingk (Univ. Birmingham, UK) Nicolas Laflorencie (Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France) Leonid Levitov (MIT, USA) Netanel Lindner (Technion, Israel) Mikhail Lukin (Harvard University, USA) Giovanni Modugno (UniFI, Florence, Italy) Laurens Molenkamp (University of Würzburg, Germany) Joel Moore (University of California, Berkeley, USA) Markus Müller (Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland) Yuval Oreg (Weizmann Institute, Israel) Guido Pagano (Univ. of Maryland, USA) Frederic Pierre (CNRS / Université Paris-Sud, France) Frank Pollmann (Technische Universität München, Germany) Ivan Protopopov (Geneva, Switzerland) Gil Refael (Caltech, USA) Jörg Schmiedmayer (Technische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria) Dan Shahar (Weizmann Institute, Israel) Ady Stern (Weizmann Institute, Israel) Lieven Vandersypen (Delft University of Technology, Netherlands) Ali Yazdani (Princeton University, USA) ICTP ICTP pio@ictp.it 11 Jun 2018 - 15 Jun 2018
» Conference on Quantum Dynamics of Disordered Interacting Systems | (smr 3212)