Dr. Jia Leo Li, Brown University

"Electrons in a flatland: a world with less symmetry"

Abstract: Created by stacking 2D crystals together like Legos, van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure offers a unique material platform where electrons live in a world with no thickness. In this scientific realization of a flatland, electrons exhibit an array of fascinating properties, which are defined by the interplay between Coulomb repulsion, topology, and reduced symmetries. In this talk, I will discuss our recent efforts to better understand the nature of reduced symmetries displayed by electrons in vdW heterostructures. By probing the transport properties with angular resolution, we discover hidden electronic orders that are difficult to detect with conventional methods.