Spin-orbit entangled anharmonic polarons

Exploring the Fascinating World of Polarons and Their Role in Advanced Materials Polarons are tiny entities that form when an extra charge interacts with vibrations in certain materials. They play a crucial role in understanding how electricity and energy move through materials, which is important for technologies like solar cells, batteries, and superconductors. Recently, scientists have discovered exciting new behaviors of polarons, especially when they interact with other forces in materials, such as spin-orbit couplinga phenomenon where a particles motion and spin affect each other. This research focuses on three main goals: 1. Understanding complex polaron behavior: By looking beyond simplified models, we aim to uncover how polarons behave in superconducting materials where electricity can flow without resistance. 2. Exploring the effects of spin-orbit coupling: This includes studying how it influences polaron formation and properties. 3. Identifying new types of polarons: We will investigate unusual polarons in advanced materials, including those with special properties like "Rashba polarons" and "topological polarons" in cutting-edge superconductors and semiconductors. To achieve these goals, our team combines powerful tools from physics and materials science, such as advanced simulations, mathematical models, and electronic structure calculations. This collaborative project brings together world-class researchers from Belgium, Japan, the US, and Austria, who specialize in cutting-edge methods and theories. By studying these unexplored aspects of polarons, this project seeks to not only solve longstanding scientific mysteries but also pave the way for future breakthroughs in materials and technologies.