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SUMMARY:MARVEL Distinguished Lecture – Alex Zunger
DTSTART:20211020T160000
DTEND:20211020T171500
DTSTAMP:20260415T005223Z
UID:3faea5238d77a1f3a4d48f83d3a6d1b776d4d7ed8cecc1cef410d52b
CATEGORIES:Conferences - Seminars
DESCRIPTION:Alex Zunger\, University of Colorado\, Boulder\nhttps://epfl.z
 oom.us/j/66438058915\nPasscode: 2518\n\nProf. Alex Zunger\nUniversity of C
 olorado\, Boulder\, USA\n\nSpontaneous symmetry breaking in nominal cubic 
 oxide perovskites through structural\, magnetic or dipolar degrees of free
 dom\nThe impression that band theory would invariably predict an erroneous
  metallic state rather than the observed insulating phase for “Mott Insu
 lators” has marked a significant shift in condensed matter theory some 7
 5 years ago\, placing strong emphasis of “electronic phases” in strong
 ly correlated systems. Other microscopic degrees of freedom (m-DOF)\, such
  as lattice distortion (in para elastics)\, or the configurations of local
  magnetic moments (in paramagnets)\, and dipole moments (in para electrics
 )\, were considered as “spectator” DOF’s\, being consequences of the
  primary electron correlation\, and not a possible cause of the peculiarit
 ies of the electronic phases. We point out that when such a symmetry const
 rained view based on the smallest possible unit cell is avoided in mean fi
 eld like DFT\, two interesting consequences occur. First\, some symmetry b
 reaking lattice and magnetic m-DOF  that were previously observed experim
 entally in para phases emerge naturally as DFT energy -lowering effects. S
 econd\, the previously noted ‘false metal’ syndrome in Mott insulators
  disappears. The implications on our understanding of the nature of para p
 hases as polymorphous networks having a distribution of local DOF’s wi
 ll be discussed.\nReferences: https://www.colorado.edu/faculty/zunger-mat
 ter-by-design/publications-0\n\nAbout the speaker\nProfessor Alex Zunger
 ’s research field is condensed matter theory of real materials\, includi
 ng contributions  to the development of basic tools of “first-principle
 s theory of solids”\, quantum materials\, nanostructures\, and solar pho
 tovoltaic materials. (see reference list). He received the 2018 Boer Sola
 r Medal\, the 2001 John Bardeen Award\; the 2001 Rahman Award of the APS\;
  the 2013 Hume-Rothery Award of the TMS (on “First Principles Alloy Theo
 ry”)\, and the inaugural 2011 Materials Theory Award of the MRS (on “i
 nverse Design of materials”). His papers have received over 100\,000 cit
 ations\, having “h-number” of more than 150.
LOCATION:https://epfl.zoom.us/j/66438058915?pwd=TFRaeGt0Ym5lTkg3SURxVEZEUn
 d4Zz09
STATUS:CONFIRMED
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