Events Calendar

Matthew Gilbert - Nano Science & Technology Seminar Series, Wednesday, April 5th at 2:00pm in KAP 209

Speaker: Matthew J. Gilbert, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Talk Title: Unconventional Superconductivity in Topological Heterostructures

Abstract: The search for materials and systems that exhibit unconventional superconductivity, or superconductivity beyond the canonical s-wave pairing as predicted in BCS theory, is one of the most active areas within condensed matter physics. This effort has been reinvigorated by the interesting properties inherent to a new class of materials that possess topological phases. A topological phase is unique in that it does not break any of the underlying symmetries of the system and cannot be described by a local order parameter. In other words, the inherent properties of the system cannot be changed by adiabatic shifts in materials parameters unless the system passes a quantum critical point associated with a phase transition. More recently, this search has taken on additional significance due to the fact that systems that possess unconventional superconductivity may enable a new type of fault tolerant quantum information processing that may significantly increase computing power when compared to traditional information processing. In this talk, I will discuss the appearance and signatures of unconventional superconductivity and review some of the most prominent systems that have been predicted to exhibit unconventional superconductivity. In particular, I will focus on heterostructures containing s-wave superconductors and proximity-coupled 3D time-reversal invariant topological insulators. I will explain some of the experimentally relevant conditions that must be satisfied in order to observe the features of unconventional superconductivity and conclude by examining the potential for finding unconventional superconductivity in emergent topological materials such as semimetals and crystalline insulators.

Biography: Matthew J. Gilbert is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). He is affiliated with the Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, the Department of Physics and the Institute for Condensed Matter Theory at UIUC. His research broadly focuses on theoretically elucidating new phenomena in emergent nanoscale systems with the goal of developing new types of nanoelectronic and nanophotonic devices and functionality for next-generation information processing systems. The majority of his current work revolves around understanding the properties of topological materials, including insulators, semimetals and superconductors, with the goal of understanding their potential role in the post-CMOS device landscape. This research also includes examinations into the appearance and stability of unconventional superconductivity and non-Abelian anyons, such as Majorana and parafermions, in topological systems for the purposes of topological quantum computation. His emerging research interests include: the role of interactions in the classification and properties of topological systems, dissipation and relaxation in non-equilibrium materials and systems, transport properties and phenomena in 2D materials particularly those under strain, energy harvesting using topological materials, and designer layered quantum materials. He has authored more than 70-refereed publications, and has given presentations at over 50 international conferences.

Host: Wang, Zhou, Cronin, Wu - MHI

Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 209

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Marilyn Poplawski