Project description DEENESFRITPL Microscopy technique with unprecedented spatial resolution reveals electron interactions The physics of strongly interacting electron systems is remarkably rich and complex. The electron charge, spin, orbital and lattice degrees of freedom result in competing interactions, leading to phase transitions and the emergence of exotic phases. The EU-funded SEE_QPT project aims to provide clear-cut evidence for these elusive many-body states that are in the blind spot of global measurements. Researchers will use a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), a powerful scanning probe to identify and image trace amounts of conductivity, superconductivity and magnetism with a high spatial resolution. The tool will be integrated with a set of tuning knobs to enable simultaneous manipulation and imaging of quantum phase transitions. Project outputs will provide more clues about the mechanisms that drive fundamental electron transitions, paving the way for the development of innovative quantum materials. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Strongly interacting electron systems lead to a wealth of competing phases, phase transitions, and quantum critical points. When probed globally, the inherent inhomogeneities, disorder, localization, and mixture with other phases can be a stumbling block in detecting and controlling the various electronic states. Armed with a suitable local probe, however, spatial inhomogeneities turn from a concealing factor into the key to unveil new exotic electronic phases. Our unique tool, the scanning SQUID, is the most suitable probe, as it provides both extremely high magnetic sensitivity - capable of detecting trace amounts of conductivity, superconductivity and magnetism - with a high spatial resolution. We will integrate our state-of-the-art sensor with a set of tuning knobs, to enable simultaneous manipulation and imaging of quantum phase transitions.Our key goal is to provide clear-cut evidence for elusive many-body states that are in the blind spot of global measurements. We will detect hidden phases, such as traces of superconducting islands in an insulator, puddles of strongly correlated electrons at the onset of metallicity, and protected states in topological phases. The spatial distribution of states and disorder-related inhomogeneities will serve as the main tool in our quest. We will elucidate the correlations between emergent states that show non-trivial coexistence, such as magnetism and superconductivity, conductivity in a ferroelectric medium and itinerant ferromagnetism. We will provide clues about the mechanisms that drive fundamental transitions, such as the metal-insulator and the superconductor-insulator transitions. We will track phases and fluctuations near quantum criticality, and use the local information to bridge the gap between the microscopic behavior and the thermodynamic limit, where critical phenomena emerge. We aim to explore fundamental questions like the universality of transitions and assist the development of quantum materials. Fields of science engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsnatural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicssuperconductivity Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2019-COG - ERC Consolidator Grant Call for proposal ERC-2019-COG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant Host institution BAR ILAN UNIVERSITY Net EU contribution € 2 052 739,00 Address BAR ILAN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS 52900 Ramat Gan Israel See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 2 052 739,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all BAR ILAN UNIVERSITY Israel Net EU contribution € 2 052 739,00 Address BAR ILAN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS 52900 Ramat Gan See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 2 052 739,00