CIFAR - Quantum Materials Summer School 2014

Tami Pereg-Barnea
McGill University

"I am interested in condensed matter systems with unusual properties often related to exotic/topological order or strong interactions. Specifically I study:
Topological insulators
Graphene
High Tc superconductivity in the cuprates
Unconventional superconductors (iron-pnictides, cobaltates)"

David Hawthorn
University of Waterloo

"Our group studies strongly correlated materials with exotic spin, charge and orbital ordering by means of resonant soft x-ray scattering and x-ray absorption spectroscopy at synchrotrons such as the Canadian Light Source. By clarifying the nature of these exotic ordering phenomena, we hope to shed light on some of the long-standing mysteries in the rich physics of cuprate high temperature superconductors."

Ion Garate
Université de Sherbrooke

"I am a theorist interested in quantum condensed matter theory. My research interests are quite broad, and are often driven by a desire to build connections between different topics. I enjoy working on problems where some progress can be made analytically, as well as developing qualitative ideas and making predictions that could (if lucky) be verified by experiments. I am fond of applying standard quantum field theory methods, which are essential in order to understand the behavior of interacting electrons in solids. Lately, I have been exploring how phonons might destroy or induce topological states of matter. For the near future, part of my research will be devoted to analyzing time-dependent phenomena in topological insulators."

Jeffrey Quilliam
Université de Sherbrooke

"The primary theme of my research is the study of frustrated magnetic materials. I employ various experimental techniques, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), thermodynamic measurements and muon spin rotation (µSR), often at temperatures approaching absolute zero."

Michel Gingras
University of Waterloo

* Panel on career prospects

"My main current interests are in the area of random disordered systems and problems pertaining to frustrated classical and quantum magnetic systems. I often collaborate with experimentalists, either trying to understand their results or to think of new experiments to test theoretical ideas."

Lillian Childress
McGill University

"Coherent, controllable quantum systems underlie the best clocks and the most precise sensors, and may someday form building blocks for information processing devices. Our research uses techniques developed in quantum optics and atomic physics to understand and control the quantum states of defect centers in crystalline hosts, while exploring their potential applications in quantum information science and metrology."

Joseph H. Thywissen
University of Toronto

"Dr. Thywissen's work focuses on ultra-cold alkali gases, including both fermionic and bosonic species. Placed in optical lattices, cold atoms realize physical analogues of idealized models for strongly correlated electron systems. By experimentally studying these iconic condensed matter systems, he and his colleagues hope to learn whether the Hubbard model can explain high-temperature superconducting cuprates, and which models of magnetism give rise to spin liquids. In short, cold atoms may provide a kind of "half-way house" between theories of quantum matter and experimental measurements of complex materials."

Guillaume Gervais
McGill University

"Dr. Gervais' main research lies in the area of the strongly correlated electronic properties of low-dimensional nanostructured systems. In particular, he is interested in probing the fundamental quantum properties of strongly-correlated systems at temperatures very near the absolute zero of temperature. Examples of phenomena of interest are the physics of two-dimensional electrons (fractional quantum Hall effect, anyons and non-abelian quantum statistics, skyrmion crystals), Luttinger liquid behaviour in one-dimensional system, and other quantum-coherent phenomena in quantum dots and quantum wires."

Catherine Kallin
McMaster University

* Talk on the gender gap in physics
* Panel on career prospects

"Dr. Kallin’s research is in the area of strongly correlated electron systems, including high temperature superconductors, frustrated antiferromagnets, anyon, the two-dimensional electron gas in the limit of large magnetic fields and low temperatures, and quantum Hall systems. Much of her most recent work is focused on understanding high temperature superconductivity. She is also interested in vortex dynamics, nanotubes and quantum dots."

Tilman Esslinger
ETH Zurich

"In our research we use ultracold atoms to synthetically create key models in quantum many-body physics. We explore the physics of quantum phase transitions and crossovers, low-dimensional systems and non-equilibrium dynamics, and thereby establish the basis for quantum simulation of many-body Hamiltonians."

Eduardo H. da Silva Neto
University of British Columbia

"Research interests include exploring the many interesting physical phenomena commonly observed in unconventional superconductors by performing experiments on different materials and with different spectroscopic techniques. This approach would allow the identification of which phenomena are relevant to the superconducting mechanism, their microscopic nature, and whether they cooperate or compete with superconductivity."

Fazel Fallah Tafti
Université de Sherbrooke

"My research interest spans over a broad range of topics in quantum materials, including topological superconductivity, topological insulators, high temperature superconductivity, and frustrated magnetism. My experimental expertise include electric, thermal, and thermoelectric transport measurements as well as thermodynamic properties such as magnetic susceptibility and thermal expansion coefficient. In particular, I am interested in tuning material properties by using high pressures and intense magnetic fields. "

Maxime Dion
Université de Sherbrooke

"As a Ph.D. student I like to work on both the experimental and the theory parts of my projects. My recent experiences covers fields such as oxide heterostructures, high temperature superconductors and organic superconductors. To study these topics I’ve mainly been using transport measurements, ultrasonic measurements with the help of numerical simulations and group theory."

Pascal Lapointe
Science-Press Agency (Agence Science-Presse)

* Panel on career prospects

Pascal Lapointe is Chief Editor of the Science-Press Agency, a provincial organism dedicated to the diffusion of science news.

Étienne Boaknin
Director of Corporate Strategy and Development at SNC-Lavalin

* Panel on career prospects

"Proven leader with dual background in international level business and technology and direct experience with senior executives of large companies. Interested in creating a sustainable world economy. PhD in physics."