The hidden life of electrons

Speaker: Dr Igor Marković, Assistant Professor in Condensed Matter Physics, University of Birmingham

The 'silicon age' of humanity and the computer revolution in the last century were unlocked by our understanding of the non-interacting electronic behaviour in simple metals and semiconductors. Today, we build on that foundation and expand our investigations into the materials in which electrons interact and entangle in significant ways with each other as well as other aspects of the material. These interactions lead to a zoo of exotic electronic behaviour and phases, often in close competition with each other. 

In this talk, Dr Marković will introduce you to this world of quantum materials and describe the methods used to gain direct insight into the rich behaviour of electrons in them.

About the speaker

Dr Igor Marković is an Assistant Professor in Condensed Matter Physics at the University of Birmingham. His research centres on using different light sources, from ultrafast lasers to synchrotrons, to shine light (pun intended) on the behaviour of electrons in exotic phases of quantum materials. He performs his experiments on large experimental facilities worldwide, including Diamond Light Source, the UK national synchrotron, where he is an affiliated member.