Integrated Calendar

For decades, condensed matter systems have been studied within the framework of classical order parameters - i.e. the Landau-Wilson paradigm. This has been recently extended with the rather complete understanding of topological states of noninteracting electrons. In this talk I will focus instead on new physics that arises from the interplay of topology and strong interactions. A unifying theme will be the emergence of gauge fields rather than the classical order parameters of Landau theory. I will illustrate these general themes with two recent works. The first proposes a route to realizing a long sought after phase - the Z2 quantum spin liquid - in a synthetic platform, an array of highly excited (Rydberg) atoms [1]. A potential application to the engineering of naturally fault tolerant quantum bits will also be described. The second example describes a topological route to strong coupling superconductivity [2], which was inspired by recent experimental observations in magic angle bilayer graphene and related devices.

[1] arXiv:2011.12310. Prediction of Toric Code Topological Order from Rydberg Blockade.

Authors: R. Verresen, M. Lukin and A. Vishwanath.
[2]arXiv:2004.00638. Charged Skyrmions and Topological Origin of Superconductivity in Magic Angle Graphene.
Authors: E. Khalaf, S. Chatterjee, N. Bultinck, M. Zaletel, A. Vishwanath.

During the last decade, seismic sensing with optical fibers has become a reality. By analyzing the effect of seismic deformation on the fiber’s optical response, state-of-the-art Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) now offers a 1-meter sensor resolution for tens of kilometers of fiber. In other words, a single DAS system can record up to 40,000 data channels at once – two orders of magnitude more than the entire earthquake-monitoring seismic network in Israel.

In this talk, I will first introduce the underlying operating principles of DAS acquisition. These measurements are very different from conventional seismic sensors and need to be analyzed accordingly. Subsequently, most of the talk will revolve around DAS applications in various scenarios.

We utilize the ambient seismic field, recorded on a standard telecommunication fiber deployed around the Stanford campus, to analyze subsurface properties. The same fiber can also be used to measure changes in traffic patterns due to the COVID-19 lockdown. With downhole DAS arrays deployed in deep vertical wells, we can study previously undetected low-magnitude earthquakes. Finally, we utilize DAS data recorded inside an unconventional gas field to unveil reservoir properties with unprecedented resolution.