Physics & Astronomy Colloquium

3:30 PM, Friday, September 16, 2005

Room 155, Chem-Phys Building

Dr. Ziqiang Wang

Department of Physics
Boston College

`` Physics of Strong Electronic Correlation in Sodium Doped Cobaltates Na_xCoO₂''

The cobaltates Na_xCoO₂ are layered transition metal oxides. They exhibit rich and fascinating physical behaviors, including quantum magnetism, charge ordering, and superconductivity upon proper hydration. We review some of the newly discovered properties and argue that the material is a novel strongly correlated system with important similarities and differences to the high T_c superconducting cuprates. We demonstrate that the understanding of the low energy excitations in the cobaltates requires taking into account the strong electron-electron interaction and discuss the implications for the emergence of an unconventional superconducting phase.

Refreshments will be served in CP 155 at 3:15 PM