Placement Information
Year you started your placement
2016
Placement period
May – August, September – December
Supervisor’s name
Andreas Schnyder
Project Details
Overview
In recent years topological materials have gained the attention of researchers as a result of exhibiting new physical phenomenon with promising applications (e.g. quantum information technology). One of these phenomena is the ability to support gapless states localized on the edge (boundary) or on defects. This phenomenon is known as the bulk-boundary (defect) correspondence\cite {schnyderrev,hassankane,satoando}. Topological states can be realized in a variety of systems, the systems relevant for this report are noncentrosymmetric and nodal superconductors.
The gapless boundary modes resultant from bulk-boundary (defect) correspondence can manifest as flat-bands(highly degenerate states)\cite {schnyderrev}. Such zero energy flat-bands are of interest as they have a macroscopically degenerate ground state and provide exotic new ground states in the presence of interactions.
Project objectives
My project is on studying flatbands induced as a result of bulk-defect correspondence in topological superconductors and semimetals. The models studied in this report are the noncentrosymmetric and f-wave superconductors. The main goal is to find if zero energy flat-bands are induced by and localized on a variety of defects. The defects investigated in this report are vortices, dislocations and strain.
The models are given as k-space Hamiltonians, they are then Fourier-transformed to real space in order to implement the defects as spatially dependant variations in the Hamiltonian. The Hamiltonian is then diagonalized to find the eigenvalues and eigenvectors and he energy spectrums are then examined to observe the flat-bands. The implementations are all done in MATLAB, sample programs are provided in the appendix.
Research outcomes
Project status
Completed
Expected completion date
mohamedshaaban-2016-presentation
My Co-op Experience at MPI
Why did you apply for a placement with Max Planck Institute?
I wanted some experience in theoretical physics research prior to making my decision regarding whether I would rather do my PHD in Theoretical Physics or Pure Mathematics
What recommendations do you have for students who wish to participate in MPI-UBC exchange program?
Do not forget that the UBC courses barely skim the surface of the topics they cover (in Physics), I highly recommend doing some reading in your free time on some of the cutting edge research in progress.
Tell us about your travels and cultural experiences in Germany and the rest of the Europe
So far during my 4 month here I have visited over 30 cities in over 9 countries. It has been a remarkable experience.
