How Can New States of Matter Be Generated on a Theoretical Level?

Angel Rubio

The theory of materials science investigates the electronic and structural properties of advanced materials, nano-structures and bio-molecules. In the study explained in this video, the researchers present a novel theoretical method to describe, design and control how molecules and materials in combination with photons may lead to new states of matter with novel emerging properties. The research aims to theoretically find and define new states of matter and potential uses for this new phenomenon, in which atoms, electrons and photons are all entangled. ANGEL RUBIO elucidates why this phenomenon is special for chemistry, for materials science and for the more general concept of finding new quasi particles. The research on new states of matter might be relevant not only for practical applications but also for opening new fundamental research in materials science. A practical application in (bio)chemistry would be to target specific cell-reactions; in materials science, one long term perspective would be to develop more energy efficient devices.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21036/LTPUB10297

Researcher

Angel Rubio is Director of the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter in Hamburg, Germany, and Professor at the University of Hamburg. His field of research is theoretical solid-state physics with a focus on developing novel theoretical tools and modeling the characteristics of solid states and nano structures under the influence of electromagnetic fields. Rubio received the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award of the Humboldt Foundation. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) as well as a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the Academia Europaea.

Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter

The Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter (MPSD) investigates the make-up and properties of materials on the atomic and molecular level. Using state-of-theart laser systems, researchers force materials into new and unusual states, for example high temperature superconductivity, to study the underlying processes. The MPSD’s Theory Department complements the experimental results with advanced models and simulations performed on High Performance Computers. The Institute’s researchers collaborate with the University Hamburg, DESY and many other organisations on the Research Campus HamburgBahrenfeld, giving them access to a unique range of world-class light and radiation sources such as the Free-Electron Laser FLASH, the synchrotron radiation source PETRA III and the European XFEL. The MPSD’s research produces entirely new insights into the fundamental properties of existing and innovative materials as well as their potential applications.