Frederick DEL POZO

PhD Student

Resarch activities at CPHT: Condensed Matter

Research interests: Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics, Topological Quantum Matter, Superconductivity, Quantum Field Theory, Quantum Metric and Geometry, Quantum Analog of Gravity

Thesis:  "Field Theory, Quantum Dynamics and Light-Matter Coupling"

Advisor: Karyn Le Hur

Abstract

The overreaching objectives of this thesis are to study interacting models and real-time dynamics in one- and two-dimensional topological materials. These systems find varied application, for example in emerging quantum technologies such as quantum computing and nano-wire circuits. To that effect, the thesis will also explore effects of interactions between wires, as well as new frontiers in coupling of light and matter for example via electromagnetic cavities. Central to the thesis aims is to develop both theoretical and numerical techniques, with particular focus on anchoring these techniques in reality, ie. by proposing measurement protocols achievable with contemporary experimental capabilities.

For my first year, I investigated the interacting topological phases of two, one- dimensional spinless p-wave superconducting wires, known as the Kitaev wire. By considering novel approaches, we investigated in particular the extended critical phase emerging at large interactions and far from half-filling, deepening our understanding behind the physical mechanisms involved. By employing novel topological invariants, the critical phase was found to have fractional topology. The methods employed ranged from quantum field theory and information in the analytical, to “Density Matrix Renormalization Group” (DMRG) in the numerical.

Going forward, exploring the potential measurement protocols when coupling these Kitaev wires to a single-mode cavity as well as investigating other light-matter interaction effects will be a primary objective. A second direction, studying the duality between (momentum-space) quantum geometry and the Einstein Field Equations of General Relativity, will be pursued in parallel. One aim is to better understand the emergence of fractionalized topology from a geometric (gravity) point of view, extending yet again our understanding of topological condensed matter systems.

Publication

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3317-4392 Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=XJLt1p8AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra