Quantum Fluids and Solids<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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Motivated by the search for exotic\u00a0phases of matter, we are\u00a0interested in the study of quantum fluids and solids (QFS). Such are substances in which the interaction\u00a0between the constituent atoms or molecules is governed by the laws of quantum\u00a0mechanics. This can give rise to unusual and exotic\u00a0phenomena. Perhaps the most well known of these\u00a0this is\u00a0superfluidity. A more controversial example is\u00a0the proposition of QFS that\u00a0exhibit simultaneous types\u00a0of order — e.g.,\u00a0a spatially-ordered material with superfluid properties (a supersolid).\u00a0Of particular interest are QFS in reduced dimensions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The study of QFS\u00a0has and continues to play a pivotal role in the\u00a0development of key concepts and ushering paradigm shifts in quantum\u00a0many-body physics.<\/p>\n More “conventional” condensed matter is described here<\/a>.<\/p>\n A discussion of the methods that we use, including method development is described here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n QFS in Reduced Dimensions<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Evidence of nonclassical rotational inertia (supersolidity) in solid\u00a04<\/sup><\/span>He\u00a0was observed\u00a0in 2004 (here<\/a> and here<\/a>);\u00a0in 2012, however, the same group found no such evidence (here<\/a>). Theory and calculations have the potential<\/em> to\u00a0provide definitive answers.\u00a0In 2011, calculations suggested the possibility of supersolidity in 2D (here<\/a>); calculations\u00a0in 2012 though suggested that this is only the result of numerical approximations (here<\/a>).<\/p>\n In order to resolve the above\u00a0controversies, we are developing computational methods that remove the approximations of prior approaches (see here<\/a>). As an application of these methods, we are simulating QFS in reduced dimensions; in particular, the phase diagram of\u00a0\u00a04<\/sup><\/span>He \u00a0on graphene\/graphite. An image of a triangular solid of\u00a04<\/sup><\/span>He atoms adsorbed on graphene is shown to the left.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Motivated by the search for exotic\u00a0phases of matter, we are\u00a0interested in the study of quantum fluids and solids (QFS). Such are substances in which the interaction\u00a0between the constituent atoms or molecules is governed by the laws of quantum\u00a0mechanics. This can give rise to unusual and exotic\u00a0phenomena. Perhaps the most well known of these\u00a0this is\u00a0superfluidity. A more controversial example is\u00a0the proposition of QFS that\u00a0exhibit simultaneous types\u00a0of order — e.g.,\u00a0a spatially-ordered material with superfluid properties (a supersolid).\u00a0Of particular interest are QFS in reduced dimensions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n![\"4He_C_1-3\"](\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/946\/2016\/05\/4He_C_1-3-396x139.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nQuantum Fluids and Solids<\/h2>\n