Colloquium Speaker Ashvin Vishwanath today, Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 4:00 PM

[Tate, Arnay]

Please take note of Colloquium taking place today, Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at 4:00 PM in The Robert Smith Seminar Room.  There will be a reception in the Atrium at 3:45 PM.  Details concerning the talk are as follows:



Speaker:              Dr. Ashvin Vishwanath -  University of California, Berkeley

Date:                     Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Time:                    4:00 PM

Place:                    The Robert Smith Seminar Room

Title:                     "Beyond Landau: Deconfinement and Topology in Quantum Solids"

Abstract:



Our fundamental understanding of solids is based on the Landau paradigm, in which metals are described by Fermi liquid theory and other phases arise from spontaneous symmetry breaking. Recent experimental results however have forced us to look beyond this framework. I will first discuss topological insulators, a newly discovered class of solids where topology forms the basis of a subtle distinction from ordinary insulators.

Subsequently, I will talk about examples of frustrated quantum magnets and heavy fermion systems that point to even more exotic phases. Recent theoretical ideas for understanding these states will be discussed.



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