Full Quantum Effects in Condensed Matter Physics

Enge Wang

International Center for Quantum Materials, Peking University

and

Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Abstract: In recent years, more and more new physics in condensed matter has been reported beyond the Born–Oppenheimer approximation. This is because that, as physical science develops, theoretical simulations will become increasingly reflective of realistic materials, and experimental observations will become more precise and refined. Therefore, going beyond the adiabatic ball-and-stick model of electronic states is inevitable. In practical materials, nuclear quantum effect and non-adiabatic effect emphasized in this talk cannot be overlooked when performing accurate simulations or measurements of their physical and chemical properties. As an example, by using a combination of experimental (cryogenic STM/AFM) and theoretical (first-principle path integral molecular dynamics) methods, we systematically studied the nuclear quantum effect on a single hydrogen-bonding strength and a concerted proton tunneling of water on salt. Our results show that the full quantum effects play a key role in understanding of water nature on surface.

Bio: Enge Wang is the Professor of Physics, Peking University. He is also the Honorary Director of Kavli Institute of Theoretical Sciences and the Chairman of Advisor Board of Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He was the Director of the Institute of Physics, the President of Peking University, and the Vice President of Chinese Academy of Sciences from 1999 to 2017.  He was selected as the Vice President of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) in 2017, the International Councilor of American Physical Society (APS) in 2018, and the Chairman of Global Cooperation Alliance of Science Centers (GCASC) in 2019. He researches condensed matter physics; the approach is a combination of theoretical and experimental study of full quantum effects in light-element materials.