Research on Quantum Materials Discovery

The discovery of new quantum materials is essential for the development of next generation quantum technologies. Quantum materials are materials that exhibit unique and highly sought-after properties at the atomic and subatomic level, and are the building blocks for many of the advanced technologies that are currently being developed.

Why are these materials important?

Quantum materials are at the foundation of a range of applications, including quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum sensing. These technologies have the potential to revolutionize many different fields, from medicine and pharmaceuticals to finance and cybersecurity. The unique properties of quantum materials – resulting from a multitude of collectively interacting (quasi-)particles – are what make them so valuable for these applications. Quantum materials exhibit a range of properties, including superconductivity, magnetism, and topological materials.

Furthermore, the discovery of new quantum materials is important as it allows researchers to explore the frontiers of quantum science. Quantum materials are some of the most complex, most intertwined, and fascinating materials, and studying them can provide valuable insights into the fundamental laws of physics. Thereby, the study of quantum materials can help us to better understand the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics, and to explore the limits of our current understanding of the universe.

How do we get there?

The team in the Laboratory for Quantum Materials Discovery, i.e., the vonRohrLab, consists of highly motivated young researchers with diverse international backgrounds that work together. Our research is highly interdisciplinary at the frontier between solid-state chemistry and condensed-matter physics. We are experts in the synthesis of complex materials, the growth of high-purity single crystals, the identification of their structure, and the processing and characterization of these materials. Our expertise allows us to produce and study some of the most advanced and sophisticated materials in the world, with applications in a wide range of fields. By combining our expertise in synthesis, growth, and characterization, we are providing a complete picture of the properties and behavior of these materials, and to help advance the frontiers of science and technology.

Our recent research interest

Our current research interest spans over a broad range of topics in quantum materials, including small band-gap semiconductors, superconductors, topologically non-trivial materials, 2D materials, and materials with complicated magnetic interactions. Current highlights include, the identification of the hidden-order in van der Waals antiferromagnet CrSBr (Sara A. López-Paz, et al., Nature Communications (2022), PSI News), the discovery of a previously unknown heavy fermion material CeZn_2−δGe₂ with rare Ce-based ferromagnetism and large magnetoresistance (R. Lefèvre and F. von Rohr, Chemistry of Materials (2022)), the first crystal growth of the high-temperature polymorph of Sr₂TiO₄ (D. Pulmannová, et al., CrystEngComm (2022)), and the synthetic control over the polymorph formation in the d-band semiconductor system FeS₂ (K. Ma, et al., Chemical Science (2021)). For further work, see the publication section of this homepage. Furthermore, we actively take part in several national and international collaborations with chemistry and physics groups to advance various aspects related to quantum materials research, and we provide our expertise to industrial partners in any advanced materials questions.

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