University of Hong Kong (HKU) physicists develop a new algorithm solving a long standing problem in constrained quantum material models
The intrinsic scale limit of current quantum material hinders possible development of technology, thus the discovery of a new generation of quantum materials holds the key to technological revolutions, such as stable topological quantum computers, high-temperature superconductors, high capacity information and energy storage. Nevertheless, due to their nature of strongly correlated electrons, it is not uncommon for the next generation of quantum materials to have extremely complex interactions with the environment, making it difficult to study their properties and to make use of them.
Scientists are working proactively to learn how this next generation of quantum materials could reach and remain stable at topological phase and how to make use of their excited particles. Recently, Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Zheng YAN and Associate Professor Dr Zi Yang MENG, from the Research Division for Physics and Astronomy of the Faculty of Science at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), have invented a new algorithm that could solve a large class of important constrained quantum material models, via powerful supercomputer combined with theoretical analysis. They also teamed up with Dr Yancheng WANG from China University of Mining and Technology, Dr Nvsen MA from Beihang University, and Professor Yang QI from Fudan University to employ the algorithm and untangle a long-standing puzzle of a typical constrained quantum materials model, ‘quantum dimer model’.
Their study reveals the unique non-trivial interaction among ‘visons’, a mysterious particle which is excited in a topological order which carries finite emergent flux, and uncover the real property of this useful particle which may push ahead the development of technological innovation. The research findings are recently published in the renowned academic journal npj Quantum Materials.