Next generation of transport measurements in quantum materials under extreme conditions – QuantExt

QuantExt will design the next generation of thermal transport measurements, leveling up with the challenges posed by quantum materials that still prevent a radical quantum technological revolution. The project aims to unravel the strong interactions between electrons that are capable of extraordinary emergent phenomena of matter – such as superconductivity. The way that electrons pair up to give high-temperature superconductivity remains a mystery, although the vitality of the research in unconventional superconductivity is greater than ever, with new fundamental questions that will impact the whole quantum mechanics.
QuantExt will first look at how to make a stronger superconductor. Superconductivity research is thriving with recently-discovered superconducting nickelates. These materials provide new research directions to solve the problem of unconventional electron pairing.
QuantExt will next investigate the nickelates' normal state to investigate whether a new quantum law of nature has been discovered that would limit the speed at which electrons can collide in metals. That is the so-called "Planckian limit", which remains a puzzle for quantum mechanics.
I will show that thermal transport is the right tool to tackle these problems. However, standard thermal experiments have limited progress on these issues. Conventional thermal conductivity experiments are powerful for measuring the electron pairing symmetry but do not work on thin films like the new superconducting nickelates. Conventional thermoelectric and thermal diffusivity experiments can give access to another facet of the Planckian limit but cannot be performed in the needed extreme conditions of temperature and magnetic fields.
QuantExt aims to revolutionize thermal transport experiments to overcome the limitations of the past and promote thermal experiments to the realm of extreme magnetic fields to probe nickelates.