CMSP

Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics

Contacts:

With about 30 members, an intense programme of workshops, a constant flow of visitors, and close collaborations with local scientific institutions such as SISSA, Elettra, and the University of Trieste, the Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics (CMSP) section is a vibrant international research environment for scientists from every corner of the world.

Research in the CMSP section spans some of the most exciting areas of theoretical condensed matter physics, including the physics of nanostructures, of many-body quantum systems at, or far from equilibrium, the computer simulations of fluids and solids with atomistic, molecular and electronic structure methods, and the design of new materials for renewable energy applications.

News

27 May 2020

Study Physics in Trieste

PhD scholarships available; 17 June deadline

26 May 2020

Quantum simulators for gauge theories

A new approach to the study of the fundamental forces of nature

9 Apr 2020

ICTP Success in Quantum Information

ICTP scientists awarded Google Computer Science prize

2 Mar 2020

ICTP's 2020 Dirac Medal

Nomination deadline 30 June

28 Feb 2020

Updated 14 March: Suspension of Educational Activities

ICTP takes COVID-19 precautions

29 Jan 2020

Spirit of Salam Awardees Announced

This year's prize shared by two recipients

27 Jan 2020

Salam Distinguished Lectures 2020

Marc Mézard to speak on artificial intelligence, statistical physics

17 Dec 2019

ICTP Connections: Ethiopia

Documentary showcases associate at Addis Ababa University

4 Dec 2019

Science Excellence

ICTP senior scientist honoured by national academies

12 Nov 2019

Growing Scientific Communities Internationally

APS Innovation Fund grant & other ASESMA activities

Seminars view all

Europe/Rome 2020-06-09 11:00:00 2020-06-09 12:00:00 CMSP Seminar (Joint ICTP/SISSA Statistical Physics): Quantum fields in curved space-times with atomic and optical systems: New Directions from synthetic gauge fields and quantum emitters To register to the Seminar Series please do it here. In this talk I will review the state of the art and the new perspectives in the theoretical and experimental study of analog models of quantum field theories in flat, curved, or time-dependent backgrounds using condensed matter and optical systems. After a brief presentation of the theory and experiments on Hawking emission of phonons from acoustic horizons in quantum fluids of ultracold atoms and of light, I will present recent results (in collaboration with Luca Giacomelli) on superradiance effects in different geometries. In rotating configurations, the instability of multiply charged vortices can be understood in terms of an ergoregion instability at the vortex core. Introduction of synthetic gauge fields in planar geometries extends the range of space-time metrics that can be generated and allows for analytical insight into superradiant scattering processes. The relation between superradiant scattering and superradiant instabilities will be clarified. As a further extension of the analog model paradigm, I will present how impurity atoms in an atomic fluid can form two-level emitters coupled to the quantum field. Based on recent works with Jamir Marino, Gabriel Menezes and Alessio Recati, I will present observable predictions of Ginzburg radiation and superradiant lasing for moving emitters along linear or circular trajectories. I will finally outline the on-going investigations (in collaboration with Salvatore G. Butera) in the direction of observing back-reaction effects of the quantum Hawking emission onto the black hole background. Virtual ICTP pio@ictp.it 9 Jun 2020

» CMSP Seminar (Joint ICTP/SISSA Statistical Physics): Quantum fields in curved space-times with atomic and optical systems: New Directions from synthetic gauge fields and quantum emitters

Europe/Rome 2020-06-10 11:00:00 2020-06-10 12:00:00 CMSP Seminar (Atomistic Simulation Webinar Series): Modeling Materials and Processes in Hybrid/Organic Photovoltaics: From Dye-sensitized to Perovskite Solar Cells Registration Instructions: - If you have already registered for a previous CMSP seminar there is no need to register again. Please remember to use the link within the email you received after the registration to join the webinar. - If you have NOT registered before, please make sure to register several days in advance before the webinar to the Seminar Series by clicking here. ___________________________________________________________________ Abstract: Over the last two decades, researchers have invested enormous research effort into hybrid/organic photovoltaics, leading to the recent launch of the first commercial products that use this technology. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have shown clear advantages over competing technologies. The top certified efficiency of DSCs exceeds 11% and the lab-cell efficiency is greater than 13%. In 2012, the first reports of high efficiency solid-state solar cells based on organohalide lead perovskites completely revolutionized the field. These materials are used as light-absorbers in DSCs and as light-harvesting and electron conductor in meso-superstructured and flat heterojunction perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and show certified efficiencies that currently exceed 25%. To effectively compete with conventional photovoltaics, emerging technologies need to achieve higher efficiency and stability, while maintaining low production costs. Many of the advances in the DSCs and PSCs field have relied on the computational design and screening of new materials. Suitable modeling strategies further allow researchers to observe the otherwise inaccessible but crucial hetero-interfaces that control the solar cell operation, allowing researchers the opportunity to develop new and more efficient materials and optimize processes. We illustrate the basic device architectures and operating principles of both DSCs and PSCs highlighting the fundamental modeling strategies and revealing fundamental aspects of the device’s operational mechanism. Although the modeling of DSCs is relatively mature, the recent “perovskite storm” has presented new problems and new modeling challenges, such as understanding exciton formation/dissociation at interfaces and carrier recombination in these materials. References: 1. De Angelis, F. Acc. Chem. Res. 2014, 47, 3349. 2. De Angelis, F.; Di Valentin, C.; Fantacci, S.; Vittadini, A.; Selloni, A. Chem. Rev. 2014, 114, 9708. 3. Azpiroz, J. M.; Mosconi, E.; Bisquert, J.; De Angelis, F. Energy Environ. Sci. 2015, 8, 2118. 4. Mosconi, E.; Meggiolaro, D.; Snaith, H.; Stranks, S. D.; De Angelis, F. Energy Environ. Sci. 2016, 9, 3180. 5. Quarti, C.; Mosconi, E.; Ball, J. M.; D'Innocenzo, V.; Tao, C.; Pathak, S.; Snaith, H.; Petrozza, A.; De Angelis, F. Energy Environ. Sci. 2016, 9, 155. 6. Chen, B.; Li, T.; Dong, Q.; Mosconi, E.; Song, J.; Chen, Z.; Deng, Y.; Liu, Y.; Ducharme, S.; Gruverman, A.; De Angelis, F.; Huang, J. Nat. Mater., 2018, 17, 1020-1026. 7. De Angelis, F.; Petrozza, A. Nat. Mater., 2018, 17, 377–384. 8. Yang S.; Chen S.; Mosconi E.; Fang Y.; Xiao X.; Wang C.; Zhou Y.; Yu Z.; Zhao J.; Gao Y.; De Angelis F.; Huang J. Science, 2019, 365, 473–478. 9. Motti S. G.; Meggiolaro D.; Barker A. J.; Mosconi E.; Perini C. A. R.; Ball J. M.; Gandini M.; Kim M.; De Angelis F.; Petrozza A. Nat. Photonics, 2019, 15, 532–539. 10. De Angelis F. ACS Energy Lett., 2020, 5, 935-937. Virtual Atomistic Webinar ICTP pio@ictp.it 10 Jun 2020

» CMSP Seminar (Atomistic Simulation Webinar Series): Modeling Materials and Processes in Hybrid/Organic Photovoltaics: From Dye-sensitized to Perovskite Solar Cells

Europe/Rome 2020-06-16 11:00:00 2020-06-16 12:00:00 CMSP Seminar (Joint ICTP/SISSA Statistical Physics): title to be announced To register to the Seminar Series please do it here. Virtual ICTP pio@ictp.it 16 Jun 2020

» CMSP Seminar (Joint ICTP/SISSA Statistical Physics): title to be announced

Europe/Rome 2020-06-30 11:00:00 2020-06-30 12:00:00 CMSP Seminar (Joint ICTP/SISSA Statistical Physics): title to be announced To register to the Seminar Series please do it here. VIRTUAL ICTP pio@ictp.it 30 Jun 2020

» CMSP Seminar (Joint ICTP/SISSA Statistical Physics): title to be announced

Activities view all

Europe/Rome 2020-06-01 08:00:00 2020-06-12 22:00:00 6th African School on Electronic Structure Methods and Applications (ASESMA-2020) | (smr 3449) - POSTPONED --- IMPORTANTE NOTICE: SCAM ALERT! ICTP has been reported cases of unsolicited phone calls from a travel agency pretending to make hotel reservations on behalf of the School: Please do NOT disclose any sensitive information, it is a fraudulent attempt to collect credit card data! No agency has been delegated to take care of accomodation arrangements for this activity, and communications on this matter will occur through official channels only. In case of any doubt, or should you receive any similar request, please contact smr3449@ictp.it and local organizers. --- * * * Update as of 16 March 2020: ASESMA 2020 has been postponed due to ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to unprecedented containment measures in Italy and is leading to similar measures in many other countries. Organizers plan to hold the school at a later moment, still to be determined, either later in 2020 or in 2021. * * * The African School series on Electronic Structure Methods and Applications (ASESMA) is planned on a biennial basis since 2010. Previous schools were held in Cape Town, South Africa (2010), Eldoret, Kenya (2012), Johannesburg, South Africa (2015), Accra, Ghana (2016), and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2018). The aim of the School is to introduce young African researchers and students to the theory of electronic structure and other atomistic simulation methods, with an emphasis on the computational methods for practical calculations. The School will cover introductory concepts such as: electronic structure theory, density functional theory and functionals, phonons, magnetism, enhanced sampling methods in molecular dynamics, ab-initio molecular dynamics, etc. It will also cover more advanced topics and applications of these methods to the structural, mechanical and optical properties of materials, and to the properties of biological systems. The School will include hands-on tutorial sessions based on public license codes (including, but not limited to, the "Quantum Espresso" package). During the second week students will be asked to split up in teams and work on specific projects under the guidance of the lecturers and mentors. - - - This School adheres to IUPAP policies on scientific freedom, affirming non-discrimination on the basis of such factors as ethnic origin, religion, citizenship, language, political stance, gender, or age. IUPAP calls special attention on conference policies on Free Circulation of Scientists (section 1), and on Harassment (section 4) . --- ICTP Secretariat contact: smr3449@ictp.it Kigali - Rwanda ICTP pio@ictp.it 1 Jun 2020 - 12 Jun 2020

» 6th African School on Electronic Structure Methods and Applications (ASESMA-2020) | (smr 3449) - POSTPONED

Europe/Rome 2020-07-13 08:00:00 2020-07-17 22:00:00 Frontiers of Nanomechanics | (smr 3460) The Advanced School ‘Frontiers of Nanomechanics’ will introduce the fundamental concepts of nano- and optomechanical systems and describe the key ideas behind future potential technologies. The school will consist of eight lecture series (two times one hour) delivered by international experts. These lecture series reflect the fields which currently attract the highest scientific interest and/or application potential and cover landmark implementations of nanomechanical systems. They also represent a good balance between experimental and theory perspectives, fundamental recurrent topics and modern topics which only developed in the last couple of years, as well as between classical and quantum mechanical aspects of nanomechanics. The lecture series will be complemented by practical, hands-on mini-project sessions supervised by the lecturers. The results of the mini-projects which will be presented at the end of the school. Lecture Topics: Introduction to nanomechanics (Andrew Cleland, University of Chicago, USA) Nanomechanical resonators coupled to spins (Ania Jayich, University of California in Santa Barbara, USA) Nonlinear dynamics of nanomechanical systems (Mark Dykman, Michigan State University, USA) Topological mechanics (Sebastian Huber, ETH Zurich, Switzerland) Basics of quantum cavity optomechanics (Aashish Clerk, University of Chicago, USA) Optomechanical crystals and quantum cavity optomechanics experiments (Amir Safavi-Naeini, Stanford University, USA) Quantized phonons and superconducting qubits (Yiwen Chu, ETH Zurich, Switzerland) Non-Hermitean scenarios in nanomechanical systems (Jack Harris, Yale University, USA) Grants: A limited number of grants are available to support the attendance of selected participants, with priority given to participants from developing countries. There is no registration fee. ICTP ICTP pio@ictp.it 13 Jul 2020 - 17 Jul 2020

» Frontiers of Nanomechanics | (smr 3460)

Europe/Rome 2020-08-17 08:00:00 2020-08-21 22:00:00 Quantum Microwaves, Heat Transfer and Many-body Physics in Mesoscopic Superconducting Devices | (smr 3470) ICTP ICTP pio@ictp.it 17 Aug 2020 - 21 Aug 2020

» Quantum Microwaves, Heat Transfer and Many-body Physics in Mesoscopic Superconducting Devices | (smr 3470)

Europe/Rome 2020-08-17 08:00:00 2020-08-21 22:00:00 Precision Theoretical Approaches to Correlated Electrons | (smr 3469) This workshop will address recent developments in cutting-edge theoretical approaches to correlated electrons, identify their breakthroughs and current limitations, and coordinate a roadmap towards an accurate solution of the many-electron problem. Topics of the workshop: Fundamentals of the many-body theory Precision numerical methods Exact analytical descriptions of limiting cases Developments of unified many-body approaches Definitive solutions to many-electron systems Speakers: S. ANDERGASSEN, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany M. CAPONE, SISSA, Italy P. CORBOZ, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands H. G. EVERTZ, Technische Universität Graz, Austria M. FERRERO, College de France and École Polytechnique, France K. HAULE, Rutgers University, USA K. HELD, Technische Universität Wien, Austria C. HONERKAMP, RWTH Aachen University, Germany M. KATSNELSON, Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands J. LEBLANC, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada A. LICHTENSTEIN, Universität Hamburg, Germany T. MAIER, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA O. PARCOLLET, Flatiron Institute, USA L. POLLET, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany N. PROKOF’EV, University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA L. REINING, École Polytechnique, France G. ROHRINGER, Universität Hamburg, Germany G. SANGIOVANNI, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany S. SORELLA, SISSA, ITALY B. SVISTUNOV, University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA P. THUNSTRÖM, Uppsala University, Sweden A.-M. TREMBLAY, Université de Sherbrooke, Canada K. VAN HOUCKE, Ecole Normale Supérieure, France J. VON DELFT, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany F. WERNER, Ecole Normale Supérieure, France Grants: A limited number of grants are available to support the attendance of selected participants, with priority given to participants from developing countries. There is no registration fee. ICTP ICTP pio@ictp.it 17 Aug 2020 - 21 Aug 2020