An ultrafast look at quantum materials

Program Description

Quantum materials are those in which the interactions between constituent particles are too strong to be treated semiclassically, resulting in exotic collective properties such as high Tc superconductivity. They represent the front line in the quest to understand the organizing principles that lead to complex collective behavior, and to eventually apply these principles to do something useful. In this talk I will give an overview of the application of time-resolved optical and X-ray spectroscopies to quantum materials, with some emphasis on the capabilities enabled by the upcoming LCLS II upgrade. Examples will likely include cuprate superconductivity, Skyrmions and the quantum spin liquid in honeycomb iridates.