Title: "Geometrical Frustration in Quantum Materials: To Order or Not To Order?"

Xin Gui, Assistant Professor

University of Pittsburgh, Dept of Chemistry

Host: Kirill Kovnir

Abstract: One of the major focuses of solid-state chemistry is properties-structure relation. Geometrical frustration is an intriguing structural property which can lead to various quantum phenomena. On one hand, it suppresses long-range magnetic ordering in systems with localized magnetic moments and leads to exotic quantum states, such as quantum spin liquid. In contrast, it can host interesting electronic structures that are promising in hosting strong electronic correlations and result in uncommon behaviors, e.g., unconventional superconductivity. Therefore, the design of novel geometrically frustrated quantum materials remains a long-sought research problem. Here, I will present our design strategies on geometrically frustrated materials aiming at quantum frustrated magnetism and unconventional superconductivity. I will highlight how geometrical frustration suppresses and potentially creates orders in electroinsulating and metallic systems.

Biography: Dr. Xin Gui obtained his bachelor's degree from Nankai University, China, in 2016 and his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University in 2020 under supervision of Prof. Weiwei Xie. He then joined Prof. Bob Cava's group in Princeton University as a postdoc and became an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh in 2022. As a solid-state chemist, Dr. Gui's research is mainly about the design and synthesis of novel quantum materials, including quantum frustrated magnets, superconductors, and topological materials. With the help of solid-state synthesis, his group aims to establish the relationship between physical properties and chemical components of various solid-state systems.