Maxim Dzero, Kent State University, Spins & Knots: The rise of Topology in f-orbital materials

Date: Mon. January 29th, 2018, 12:45 pm-1:45 pm
Location: Rockefeller 221 (Les Foldy Room)
Website: https://www.kent.edu/physics/profile/maxim-dzero

Spins & Knots: The rise of Topology in f-orbital materials

Maxim Dzero

Kent State University

In my talk I will review the key recent theoretical and experimental works on a new class of topological material systems – topological Kondo insulators, which appear as a result of interplay between strong correlations and spin-orbit interactions. I will discuss the history of Kondo insulators is along with the theoretical models used to describe these heavy fermion compounds. The Fu-Kane method of topological classification of insulators is used to show that hybridization between the conduction electrons and localized f-electrons in these systems gives rise to interaction- induced topological insulating behavior. Finally, I will discuss some recent experimental results, which appear to confirm the theoretical prediction of the topological insulating behavior in Samarium hexaboride, where the long-standing puzzle of the residual low-temperature conductivity has been shown to originate from robust surface states.