Quantum Materials Across Conditions: From Fundamental Interactions to Emergent States
- Datum: 23.04.2026
- Uhrzeit: 11:00
- Vortragende(r): Prof. Weiwei Xie
- Michigan State University
- Ort: MPI CPfS
- Raum: Seminar rooms 1-2
- Gastgeber: Prof. Dr. Claudia Felser
Over the past decade, since establishing my independent research program in 2016, my group has pursued the discovery and understanding of quantum materials through a chemistry-driven, mechanism-focused approach. Understanding the fundamentals of spin, charge, lattice, and orbital degrees of freedom, and their interplay, is key to revealing the intrinsic properties of quantum materials.
In this talk, I will present our work on designing novel quantum materials; including new superconductors and quantum spin
liquid candidates, guided by structure and chemical bonding analysis. We combine this approach with advanced characterization of crystal and magnetic structures using high-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction and neutron scattering, with particular emphasis on high-pressure inelastic neutron scattering to uncover spin dynamics in correlated
materials. To access new quantum states, we employ extreme synthesis conditions, reaching pressures up to 25 GPa and temperatures near 2500 °C, enabling the stabilization of metastable phases such as iridates, cobalt oxides, and altermagnets.
More recently, we have expanded into thin-film synthesis of superconductors and Josephson Junctions (JJs) using plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition. Transforming bulk materials into device-ready thin films is a critical step for realizing the future potential of quantum materials, bridging fundamental discovery and functional
applications. This effort is complemented by rapid probing of chemical bonding through Raman spectroscopy. In parallel, since 2022, we have integrated artificial intelligence into our research workflow. For example, we are developing a “Digital CAVA” framework that unifies materials design and synthesis planning, enabling a closed-loop discovery paradigm that connects theory, experiment, and data-driven approaches. Finally, I will outline my research vision for the next 5-10 years, which centers on three directions: (1) continuing to uncover the fundamental physics of quantum materials across ambient and high-pressure regimes; (2) transforming newly discovered materials into device-relevant platforms through thin films and heterostructures; and (3) advancing AI-integrated materials discovery, where data-driven models and experiment co-evolve to enable predictive design and synthesis. Together, these efforts aim to establish a unified pathway from fundamental understanding to functional quantum materials.