WPI-MANA Probing Potential of Quantum Materials

TSUKUBA,Japan,Nov. 22,2021 -- The NIMS Quantum Materials Project is WPI-MANA's newly formed group for research into creating and exploiting quantum materials. Recently the Japanese government selected a number of priority research projects and has directed funds toward them. One of the fields of interest is quantum technology -- quantum computing,quantum information and so on -- related to the very small physical world,the quantum domain. WPI-MANA spoke to two scientists of the NIMS project:

Kazunari Yamaura,Group Leader,Nano-Materials Field,Quantum Solid State Materials Group,WPI-MANA; and Taichi Terashima,Nano-System Field,Quantum Material-Properties Group,WPI-MANA.

(Image: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M105739/202111163421/_prw_PI1fl_jcHaZPFQ.jpg)

Q: First of all,could you describe your research for us?

Yamaura: I am focusing on developing quantum materials using high-temperature and high-pressure synthesis methods. These methods are advantageous to develop materials and properties in general. One target is to develop the quantum properties of polarized metals.

Since joining WPI-MANA,I have been researching polar metals,a kind of dielectric material. They were discovered a long time ago,and were considered as an unusual theoretical material. But recently they are sparking interest again and now we are thinking that they could be a new category of quantum material. The polarization can be controlled,oriented this way or that,using conventional electric techniques. And this polarization is connected to the surface state,the quantum state.

Terashima: My research involves finding ways to determine the Fermi surface of metals by quantum oscillation measurements and magnetotransport properties in magnetic fields. The Fermi surface,also known as the "face" of a metal,is a straightforward example of the nature of conduction electrons in a metal. The Fermi surface gives us a picture of how electrons will behave if some external stimuli are applied.

I have been working mainly on iron-based superconductors and rare-earth/uranium compounds,but since moving to WPI-MANA,I have been researching the Fermi surfaces of topological materials...

Click the following link to read the full story.

MANA E-BULLETIN / FEATURE

https://www.nims.go.jp/mana/ebulletin/feature.html

MANA E-BULLETIN

https://www.nims.go.jp/mana/ebulletin/

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