Electron pairing at temperatures above the superconducting critical temperature was recently demonstrated in SrTiO₃ quantum dots patterned at the LaAlO₃/SrTiO₃ interface. The objective of this research is to investigate the mechanism of electron pairing in this system by modeling transport experiments in such nanostructures. The research is theoretical and will use transport calculations of model Hamiltonians which are parameterized from a combination of first-principles density functional calculations and experimental measurements. The work will be performed in collaboration with experimental efforts focused on probing the pairing mechanism using transport through patterned nanostructures.

 

Reference

Cheng G, et al: "Electron pairing without superconductivity." Nature 521: 196-199, 2015

 

key words

Computational physics; Electron interactions; Superconductivity; Density functional theory; Theoretical physics; Model Hamiltonians; Solid phase and solids; Condensed matter; Many-body effects; Materials science;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants