Functional Quantum Matter

Our research covers a range of topics in quantum solid-state physics, focusing on unconventional magnets, such as altermagnets, topological materials, and quantum phases that arise from strong correlations and quantum coherence. We investigate these systems by developing analytical and computational tools based on symmetry and ab initio electronic structure theory. Our vision is to achieve fundamental theoretical but experimentally testable scientific advances with potential functionalities in future energy-efficient, sustainable, and ultra-scalable nanoelectronics and spintronics. 

See below for news and more information about our recent research.

@TheEconomist January 29, 2024 https://econ.st/3vI9gkQ

Science | AAAS https://t.co/UFBQFDU5pL

Recent discovery of altermagnets, magnets with spin polarised order parameters in the form of even-parity d,g,i- wave  symmetry, raises a question whther also odd-parity wave magnets can exist and can be identified by spin group theory. In this preprint we answer the questioin in affirmative and demonstrate p-wave magnetism by spin group analysis and first principle calculations and propose it can exhibit large spontaneous transport anisotropy readily detectable in experiments. 

Unconventional p-wave magnets
Anna Birk Hellenes, Tomáš Jungwirth, Rodrigo Jaeschke-Ubiergo, Atasi Chakraborty, Jairo Sinova, Libor Šmejkal
arXiv:2308.03851

Altermagnetism was recently featured in the media including The Economist. 

https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/01/24/scientists-have-found-a-new-kind-of-magnetic-material

The selected finalists for this year's Falling Walls Scientific Breakthrough of the Year 2024 have been announced. Congratulations! In last year's Falling Walls, we had been honored to explain our research. Thanks to fantastic artists, we illustrated altermagnetic spin currents on a dancing couple dressed in black and white, showing the up and down spin of electrons. We look forward to this November's conference!

https://falling-walls.com/de/node/937

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKD_ZCQzFog