Special CPM Seminar

Correlated quantum phenomena in the strong spin-orbit regime

William Witczak-Krempa

Perimeter Institute

We discuss phenomena arising from the combined influence of electron correlation and spin-orbit coupling, with an emphasis on emergent quantum phases and transitions in 3D transition metal oxides. We illustrate these ideas using the pyrochlore iridates, showing how phases such as the Weyl semi-metal, axion insulator and topological insulator, among others, may arise in this context. We present many-body methods capable of extracting the ground state topology. Connections to recent experiments and future directions will be made.

Ref.: W-K, Chen, Kim & Balents, arXiv:1305.2193 (to appear in Ann. Rev. Cond. Mat. Phys.)