F. Evers
J. Wilhelm

Simulation of ultrafast processes in topological materials

While spin currents carry the electrons’ spin angular momentum, their orbital magnetization is carried by the orbital angular momentum current, which has attracted considerable attention recently. The first project goal is to provide a rigorous definition of these currents and analyze their role in magneto-optical effects. The second goal is to develop ab initio techniques for computing transition dipoles in topological surfaces, enabling the s... | show all >> show all members>>

R. Huber
M. Huber

Subcycle strong-field dynamics of Dirac fermions

Lightwave-driven relativistic electron motion will be directly visualized in actual band-structure movies. By combining strong mid-infrared fields with photoemission momentum microscopy of the entire first Brillouin zone, we will merge subcycle band-structure videography with in-situ high-harmonic and high-order sideband generation. In four work packages, we will capture Dirac-fermion motion in topological insulators, Landau-Zener tunneling and Z... | show all >> show all members>>

K. Richter
A. Knothe-Schulz

Quantum transport and time-dependent dynamics of Dirac fermions

The project is centred around various inter-related quantum phenomena of Dirac fermions on TI surfaces: Three complementary research streams encompass (i) ultrafast dynamics subject to laser pulses, together with phenomena such as high-harmonic generation and dynamical anomalous Hall effects; (ii) various magneto-transport phenomena in TI-based nanowires and tubes, in particular peculiar geometrical quantum effects arising at curved surfaces; (i... | show all >> show all members>>

J. Eroms
F. Dirnberger

Spin and charge of magnetic Dirac electrons

In a combined experimental and theoretical effort we will study effects caused by proximity-induced spin orbit coupling in heterostructure of graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides or 3D topological insulators. In particular, we will elucidate the role of the twist angle, using weak antilocalization and spin transport to probe spin-orbit interaction, and realize a gate-controllable spin valve based on bilayer graphene. Finally, we will aim... | show all >> show all members>>

F. Mooshammer
M. Huber

Spatiotemporal control of Dirac polariton propagation

We will spatially resolve the propagation of hybrid modes formed by light and Dirac fermions using field-resolved mid-infrared near-field microscopy. Three work streams will establish control over polaritons in graphene and reveal effects of the relativistic single-particle dispersion on the collective dynamics: (i) Semiconducting substrates, like, e.g., CrSBr, will allow for tunable, anisotropic dispersions. (ii) Quantum-dot-like structures will... | show all >> show all members>>

F. Evers
M. Schmitt

Simulation of ultrafast processes and correlations in Dirac materials

This project aims to advance the understanding of ultrafast electron dynamics in Dirac materials, where established theoretical methods struggle due to the presence of strong correlations. We will develop novel numerical methods, particularly based on neural quantum states, to investigate relaxation pathways in photoexcited graphene and complex many-electron dynamics on subcycle timescales under terahertz pulses. The expected insights are relevan... | show all >> show all members>>