The Role of Local Physics in Quantum Materials

Abstract: Structural parameters and local interactions at the atomic scale play a key role in determining emergent phenomena in quantum materials. In this talk, I will first discuss the relationship between local physics and electronic properties in a few classes of unconventional superconductors discovered in the past two decades. We will then turn to the dawn of  topological classifications in quantum materials science and the intense search for topological superconductors in recent years. At the end of the talk, I will highlight some of the pressing outstanding questions in the field and where to go next.

Bio: Priscila Rosa received her PhD in physics in 2013 from the University of Campinas, Brazil. She then moved to the University of California at Irvine as postdoctoral researcher. In 2015, she was awarded a Director’s postdoctoral Fellowship at Los Alamos National Laboratory before becoming a staff scientist in 2016. Her main research interest is the synthesis and characterization of strongly correlated quantum materials that exhibit emergent phenomena, such as unconventional superconductivity, electronic nematicity, complex magnetism, and non-trivial topology. Priscila has coauthored over 140 peer-reviewed articles as well as one patent and two book chapters. She has also presented 50+ invited talks in national and international conferences. At Los Alamos, her research further focuses on the application of extreme conditions (high pressure, high magnetic field, and low temperatures) to tune quantum materials towards desired functionality.