Superconductivity from skyrmion condensation in magic angle graphene 

We propose and analyze a strong-coupling route to superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene near the magic angle (MATBG). Starting from a promising ordered insulating state featuring Chern bands, we show that topological textures/skyrmions of the order parameter carry electric charge due to band topology. Subsequently, we find a natural all-electronic mechanism of attraction between two such charge e textures. This leads to pairing into charge 2e bosons, whose condensation can trigger superconductivity on doping away from the insulating state. We discuss microscopic aspects of this scenario, including energetics and an estimate of the effective mass which yields Tc for the superconductor, within the framework of an effective field theory. We back up our analytical calculations by large-scale DMRG numerics on a related model that captures the relevant symmetry and topology of the flat bands in MATBG. In DMRG, we find clear evidence for superconductivity driven by the binding of electrons into charge-2e skyrmions, even when Coulomb repulsion is by far the largest energy scale.

Host: Jen

Title: TBD

Host: Jen

Title: TBD

Host: Jen

Unveiling carrier recombination mechanisms in halide perovskites from first-principles calculations

Host: Cyrus Dreyer

Halide perovskites are highly efficient optoelectronic materials; the power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells has reached 25.2%, being already comparable with that of single-crystalline silicon cells (26.1%). To understand the fundamental physics behind the superior performance, carrier recombination mechanisms are crucial. In recent years, we have developed a full set of first-principles approaches that allow to quantitatively compute the carrier recombination rates based on density functional theory and to understand the underlying recombination mechanisms. I will present a number of critical insights into the radiative [1-2] and nonradiative [3-7] recombination mechanisms in halide perovskites obtained by applying our methodology to this technologically important system. 

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[2] X. Zhang, J.-X. Shen, W. Wang, and C. G. Van de Walle, ACS Energy Lett. 3, 2329 (2018).

[3] J.-X. Shen, X. Zhang, S. Das, E. Kioupakis, and C. G. Van de Walle, Adv. Energy Mater. 8, 1801027 (2018).

[4] X. Zhang, J.-X. Shen, and C. G. Van de Walle, Adv. Energy Mater. 10, 1902830 (2020).

[5] X. Zhang, M. E. Turiansky, J.-X. Shen, and C. G. Van de Walle, Phys. Rev. B 101, 140101 (2020).

[6] X. Zhang, M. E. Turiansky, and C. G. Van de Walle, J. Phys. Chem. C 124, 6022 (2020).

[7] X. Zhang, J.-X. Shen, M. E. Turiansky, and C. G. Van de Walle, J. Mater. Chem. A 8, 12964 (2020).