David Goldhaber-Gordon is a physicist whose research studies and manipulates how electrons organize themselves and flow on the nanoscale. In this regime, quantum effects and electron interactions are important, confounding intuitions gleaned from larger-scale electronics. Lately David and his research group have been excited about using topological insulators to build 1D wires whose resistance does not increase with length, gaining insights into complex materials by designing “quantum simulators” based on electrons in well-controlled nanostructures, engineering electronic properties by stacking atomically-thin materials, and working toward new qubit concepts based on topological materials. David also explores how nanostructured materials can change our thinking on electronic devices and energy conversion technology. His work has been recognized by awards including APS and AAAS Fellowship, the NAS Award for Initiatives in Research, the William McMillan Award, and the APS George E. Valley Prize.
SQC 25 Keynote Speaker
Presentation Title:
One-way Electrons, and Other Tales of Quantum Materials
Presentation Abstract:
In typical metals and semiconductors, electrons move so fast that they would cross the US in a few seconds if they continued in a straight line. But they keep getting deflected in new and random directions, so the net flow of electrons through a wire attached to a desk lamp proceeds at less than 1 millimeter per second. What if electrons could not turn around? At high magnetic fields, electrons in a 2D sheet swirl only clockwise or counterclockwise depending on the field direction. Over the past decade, “topological” materials have been designed or discovered that show similar behavior even without an external magnetic field. I will tell about a few of these discoveries, what is understood and what remains mysterious. Topological electron behavior is already enabling ultraprecise measurements underpinning our modern system of units. Future impacts may include long-lived qubits, wiring on computer chips that beats the performance of copper, miniaturized microwave circuit elements, and more that we have not yet imagined.