Collective Dynamics in Complex Phases of Bulk and 2D Materials

The Gordon Research Seminar on Ultrafast Phenomena in Cooperative Systems is a unique forum for graduate students, post-docs, and other scientists with comparable levels of experience and education to present and exchange new data and cutting edge ideas.

This seminar focuses on recent developments in the discovery and control of complex phases of matter through ultrafast experimental, theoretical, and computational methods. Ultrashort laser pulses can be used to trigger dynamical processes in materials that modulate their physical properties on timescales of pico- and femtoseconds and can even lead to emergent phases that are not accessible in equilibrium. A variety of complex phases of matter have been discovered in both bulk and two-dimensional quantum materials, including topological order, charge density waves, excitonic insulators, unconventional superconductivity, magnetic frustration, ferroic order, and phenomena arising from strong correlations. These novel phases and their ultrafast collective dynamics can be investigated through time-resolved methods, such as electron and x-ray diffraction, THz and optical spectroscopy, second harmonic generation, and electron energy loss and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. At the same time, theoretical and computational analyses of the underlying processes are essential to understand the physical origins of these phenomena.

Application Instructions

The seminar will feature approximately 10 talks and 2 poster sessions. All attendees are expected to actively participate in the GRS, either by giving an oral presentation or presenting a poster. Therefore, all applications must include an abstract.

The seminar chair will select speakers from abstracts submitted by November 19, 2021. Those applicants who are not chosen for talks and those who apply after the deadline to be considered for an oral presentation will be expected to present a poster. In order to participate, you must submit an application by the date indicated in the Application Information section above.

Program Format

Gordon Research Seminars are 2-day meetings which take place on the Saturday and Sunday just prior to the start of the associated GRC. The GRS opens with a 1-hour introductory session on Saturday afternoon, followed by a poster session, dinner and a 2-hour session in the evening. Sunday morning begins with breakfast and is followed by another 2-hour session, a second poster session, and lunch. A final 1-hour session takes place just after lunch, and the associated GRC begins later that evening.