Theory of correlated quantum materials
The Hubbard model is one of the most important concepts for correlated quantum materials, a simple set of rules that helps us understand how electrons behave when they strongly interact with each other. Even though the model looks simple on paper, it can give rise to incredibly rich behaviour, including magnetism and superconductivity, and can describe a wide range of real quantum materials.
In our research, we explore how the single-particle electronic structure (t), a quantity that describes how electrons move within a system, can control the collective behaviour of electrons when in the presence of strong electron-electron interactions. For example to identify the conditions required to stabilise unconventional superconductivity.
We explore a wide range of phenomena associated with this model, from self energy interactions, influence of Hunds coupling and non-local interactions, importance of fermiology. As well as develop methods to map these parameters to material specific models that can be used to understand real materials.
Structural control of correlated phases
Utilising a combination of ab-initio methods and functional renormalisation group theory techniques, we aim to identify structural routes to manipulate and control the correlated ground state of real quantum materials.
We use a variety of computational methods to study correlated quantum materials, including density functional theory (VASP or Quantum Espresso) to get an approximation for the single-particle electronic structure, as well as understand how subtle structural details influence the electronic properties incorporating chemical bonding effects which are important to understand the electronic and superconducting properties of materials under pressure as well as surfaces and interfaces.
PRM,8,044801 (2024)
Theory of experimental measurements on correlated quantum materials
Experimental measurements are the best way to understand quantum materials. However, sometimes the data that is measured is obscured by complex processes and experimental artifacts. Understanding these artifacts allows us to extract deeper insight into correlated quantum materials and unlocks a closer, quantitative comparison between theory and experiment.
We closely interface with experimental methods in the study of correlated quantum materials, in particular, work on developing new methods to simulate and understand experimental measurements, in particular Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and Scanning tunnelling microscopy, see, for example, the open-source software CalcQPI (https://scipost.org/SciPostPhysCodeb.61).
Latest News from The RhodesLab
- New Review! – Quasiparticle interference as a tool to study quantum materials
We have a new review paper out on arXiv! https://arxiv.org/abs/2607.22487. Quasiparticle interference as a tool to study quantum materialsLuke C. Rhodes, Y. Kohsaka, T. Hanaguri, C. A. Marques, P. Wahl In collaboration with colleagues at the University of Tokyo (Yuhki Kohsaka and Tetsuo Hanaguri), as well as Carolina Marques and Peter Wahl here at St Continue reading “https://rhodes.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/wp-content/themes/gridd” - New preprint! – How to measure loop currents in scanning tunneling microscopy
We have a new preprint on the arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2607.20030 How to measure loop currents in scanning tunneling microscopy” Victoire Morisseau, Luke C. Rhodes, Peter Wahl, Carolina A. Marques. Loop currents are the proposal that electrons can flow in closed loops within a material, producing tiny magnetic fields. If they exist, loop currents could explain a Continue reading “https://rhodes.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/wp-content/themes/gridd” - Welcome Ellie!
A big welcome to Ellie Shaw, who has joined us as a summer student. Ellie will be spending the next eight weeks applying image processing techniques to speed up the computation and analysis of phase diagrams within the functional renormalisation group framework so that we can apply this technique to bigger and more realistic materials. Continue reading “https://rhodes.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/wp-content/themes/gridd” - New Preprint! – Revealing Hund superdispersion with tunneling spectroscopy
We have a new paper out on arXiv! “Revealing Hund superdispersion with tunneling spectroscopy” https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.16580. In collaboration with theoretical colleagues at the university of Cologne (Fabian Kugler), Flatiron Institute (Olivier Gringras and Antoine George), as well as experimental colleagues at the University of St Andrews (Carolina Marques,Phil King, Peter Wahl) and MPI Dresden (Edgar Morales). Continue reading “https://rhodes.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/wp-content/themes/gridd”
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