Frontiers in Condensed Matter Physics:
Interacting Electrons in Superconductors and Materials of Reduced Geometry

Institute for Scientific Interchange
Villa Gualino, Torino, Italy, 1993 - 1997

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"Frontiers in Condensed Matter Physics ...", funded by the EU under the Human Capital and Mobility scheme, as well as closely related projects (two Euroconference series, the ESPRIT Working Group "Small Structures", and several INTAS/PECO projects), with a total funding of ca. 700.000 ECU, established the ISI as one of the leading centers worldwide in condensed matter physics. The emphasis has been on establishing scientific networks, and on the training of young researchers. The networks created in Torino have had a lasting impact, with fruitful cooperations still persisting. Below an overview (hopefully complete) over the numerous activities - workshops and conferences - is given.

Administrative Coordination: ISI, Torino (T. Regge, M. Rasetti, and others)
Main Scientific Coordinators: D. Baeriswyl, U. Eckern, W. Hanke, J. Ranninger

1993

• Phenomenology of Superconductors
  HCM Workshop, August 30 - September 30, 1993 (D. Baeriswyl, G. Blatter, U. Eckern, M. Moore)
• Mesoscopic Quantum Systems
  HCM Workshop, October 1-30, 1993 (D. Baeriswyl, G. Blatter, U. Eckern, M. Moore)
• Coherence and Phase Transitions in Superconductors and Mesoscopic Structures
  Euroconference, September 26-29, 1993 (D. Baeriswyl, G. Blatter, U. Eckern, M. Moore)

1994

• Surface Magnetism and Strong Correlations
  HCM Workshop, April 5-29, 1994 (W. Hanke, D. Mills)
• Surface Magnetism and Strong Correlations
  Euroconference, April 11-22, 1994 (W. Hanke, D. Mills)
• Quantum Hall Effect
  ESPRIT Workshop, June 6 - July 1, 1994 (R. Morf)
• Quantum Hall Effect
  Euroconference, June 13-24, 1994 (R. Morf)
• Electron Correlations and Electron-Phonon Interaction
  HCM Workshop, September 5 - November 4, 1994 (C. Castellani, W. Hanke, J. Ranninger)
• Crossover Phenomena in Solid State Physics: From Weak to Strong Coupling in Electronic Systems
  Euroconference, October 3-7, 1994 (C. Castellani, W. Hanke, J. Ranninger)

1995

• Mesoscopic Electron Systems
  HCM Workshop, March 27 - April 13, 1995 (U. Eckern, R. Fazio)
• Mesoscopic Electron Systems
  Euroconference, April 3-13, 1995 (U. Eckern, R. Fazio)
• Phenomenological Properties of Novel Superconductors
  HCM Workshop, April 18 - May 6, 1995 (G. Blatter, M. Moore)
• Dynamic Properties of Novel Superconductors
  Euroconference, May 1-12, 1995 (G. Blatter, C. Castellani, R. Zeyher)
• Microscopic Properties of Novel Superconductors
  HCM Workshop, May 7-27, 1995 (C. Castellani, R. Zeyher)
• Mesoscopic Superconductivity and Josephson Junction Arrays
  ESPRIT Workshop, September 3-30, 1995 (M. Gunn)
• Mesoscopic Superconductivity and Josephson Junction Arrays
  Euroconference, September 11-23, 1995 (M. Gunn)
• Classical Statistical Mechanics: Nonlinear, Nonequilibrium, and Disordered Systems
  HCM Workshop, October 22 - November 12, 1995 (Y. C. Zhang)

1996

• The Role of Dimensionality in Correlated Electronic Systems
  HCM Workshop, May 5-25, 1996 (W. Hanke, R. Noack, D. Poilblanc)
• The Role of Dimensionality in Correlated Electronic Systems
  Euroconference, May 6-24, 1996 (W. Hanke, R. Noack, D. Poilblanc)
• Strongly Correlated Electrons in Mesoscopic Structures
  ESPRIT Workshop, September 2-28, 1996 (U. Eckern, R. Fazio)
• Strongly Correlated Electrons in Mesoscopic Structures
  Euroconference, September 2-8, 1996 (U. Eckern, R. Fazio)
• Novel Aspects of Superconductivity in Layered Materials, Confined Geometries, and Strongly Correlated Electron Systems
  HCM Workshop, September 30 - October 19, 1996 (N. Schopohl, M. Sigrist)

1997

• Frontiers of Interdisciplinary Theoretical Physics
  HCM Workshop, April 5-12, 1997 (M. Marsili, Y.C. Zhang)
• Spin and Charge Gaps in HTSC Materials
  HCM Workshop, May 4-17, 1997 (C. Castellani, R. Micnas, J. Ranninger)
• Quantum Hall Effect
  ESPRIT Workshop, May 25 - June 14, 1997 (N. d'Ambrumenil, R. Morf)

1998 and beyond

On February 3, 1997, a TMR Research Network Proposal was submitted to the EU, entitled Dynamics of Interacting Electrons in Novel Materials.

• Research Tasks
  • 1 - model systems
  • 2 - high-T_c superconductors
  • 3 - non-Fermi-liquid behaviour
  • 4 - mesoscopic electron systems
  • 5 - vortices in type-II superconductors
  • 6 - quantum Hall effect
• Participating Teams & Team Leaders
  • Team 1 - Uni Augsburg - U. Eckern
  • Team 2 - ISTAS Portugal - J. Carmelo
  • Team 3 - CNRS Grenoble - J. Ranninger
  • Team 4 - CSIC Madrid - F. Guinea
  • Team 5 - Uni Manchester - M. A. Moore
  • Team 6 - PSI Zürich - R. Morf
  • Team 7 - ISI Torino - A. Montorsi
• Research Objectives and Content
  "This proposal describes a project at the forefront of research in theoretical condensed matter physics, dealing with the dynamical (transport) behaviour of interacting electrons in novel materials. The interaction between the charge carriers, especially in reduced geometries (quasi-one- and two-dimensional systems), leads to quite unexpected ground states and novel excitations which, to a large extent, are not well understood. The transport in general is very non-linear, with a high potential for technological applications. We aim at a unifying description of these phenomena, and therefore teams will work together which represent all modern theoretical techniques, namely field-theoretical, numerical and phenomenological methods. The choice of teams is reflected in the tasks to be studied. The newly founded institution in Portugal, ISTAS, has been integrated. Several collaborations between the participating scientists already exist, which have developed out of recent successful programmes at the ISI in Torino (as documented by numerous joint publications). - Milestones of the project are the breakdown of Fermi liquid behaviour, especially its relevance in restricted geometries and ceramic superconductors, and the potential of mesoscopic devices for quantum computation." - Proposed duration: 36 months, starting January 1998.

Unfortunately, this proposal was not successful.

Ulrich Eckern, 1997; update 2011