Research

Research at the Center for Correlated Matter (CCM), Zhejiang University, is devoted to studying emergent quantum phases and phenomena arising from the intricate interplay of intrinsic degrees of freedom, i.e., charge, spin, orbit and lattice degrees of freedom in correlated materials. It covers a variety of advanced topics at the frontiers of condensed matter physics, including heavy fermions, unconventional superconductivity, quantum phase transitions, Kondo lattice and mixed valence behavior, spin liquids, and Mott transitions. In particular, with Prof. Frank Steglich’s discovery of the first example of unconventional superconductivity in the heavy fermion metal CeCu2Si2, we will continue to pay considerable attention to investigate the exotic and fascinating properties of heavy fermion materials which emerge as a result of strong electronic correlations.

Utilizing their complementary academic backgrounds in physics, the faculty members work closely together to promote the research activities of the CCM. These include searching for and synthesizing new and promising correlated materials with novel physical or improved functional properties, systematically studying their behaviors in multiple extreme conditions of low temperature, high pressure & high magnetic field with various state-of-the-art techniques, as well as theoretically modeling their complex properties. Experimental methods used to characterize the physical properties include, but are not limited to, electrical resistivity, specific heat, magnetization, magnetic penetration depth, quantum oscillations, point-contact spectroscopy, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and synchrotron X-ray scattering. Theoretical approaches range from ab-initio methods and DFT, to DMFT and its extensions. Quantum Monte-Carlo schemes, diagrammatic and RG methods, as well as phenomenological ansatzes are used where helpful in providing a better understanding of these interesting and challenging systems. The CCM will take full advantage of its relationships with institutions inside the country and across the world, to foster strong scientific collaborations.

 

 Research Directions

Research Interests

• Novel types of correlated materials
• Heavy fermion physics
• Quantum phase transitions
• Exotic superconductivity
• Many body physics in condensed matter
• Topological states in correlated systems
• Thin films and interfaces
• Low‐dimensional correlated electron systems
• Physics under extreme conditions
• Development of new experimental/theoretical methods