Electronic Correlations in Solids: From Models to Materials

Note: Special Event, Monday Pizza served at 11:45 AM
Speaker: Professor Dieter Vollhardt, Center for Electronic Correlations and Magnetism, University of Augsburg

When: February 14, 2011 (Mon), 12:00PM to 01:00PM (add to my calendar)
Location: SCI 352
Hosted by: Andrei Ruckenstein

This event is part of the Biophysics/Condensed Matter Seminar Series.

Abstract

The concept of “electronic correlations” plays an important role in
modern condensed matter physics. It refers to many-body effects which cannot be explained if the interaction is assumed to be an average, static mean field provided by the other particles. Electronic correlations strongly influence the properties of real materials. For example, they may induce a phase transition between metallic and non-conducting behavior. Therefore correlated materials play an important role for future technological applications. In my talk I will introduce basic notions of the physics of correlated electronic systems. In particular, I will describe the recent theoretical progress which now makes it possible to go beyond model studies and investigate, and even predict, properties of correlated electron materials.