Lecturer: Prof. Ashvin Vishwanath (Harvard)

Abstract:

For decades, condensed matter systems have been studied within the framework of classical
order parameters - i.e. the Landau-Wilson paradigm. This has been recently extended with the
rather complete understanding of topological states of noninteracting electrons. In this talk I
will focus instead on new physics that arises from the interplay of topology and strong
interactions. A unifying theme will be the emergence of gauge fields rather than the classical
order parameters of Landau theory. I will illustrate these general themes with two recent works.
The first proposes a route to realizing a long sought after phase - the Z2 quantum spin liquid -
in a synthetic platform, an array of highly excited (Rydberg) atoms [1]. A potential application to
the engineering of naturally fault tolerant quantum bits will also be described. The second
example describes a topological route to strong coupling superconductivity [2], which was
inspired by recent experimental observations in magic angle bilayer graphene and related
devices.

[1] arXiv:2011.12310. Prediction of Toric Code Topological Order from Rydberg Blockade.
Authors: R. Verresen, M. Lukin and A. Vishwanath.
[2]arXiv:2004.00638. Charged Skyrmions and Topological Origin of Superconductivity in Magic Angle Graphene.
Authors: E. Khalaf, S. Chatterjee, N. Bultinck, M. Zaletel, A. Vishwanath.