Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : Q-DIM-SIM (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Fundamental constituents of matter
Entité participante : Hebrew University of Jerusalem — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : HUJI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1500000.0 €

Quantum interacting systems are at the forefront of contemporary physics, and pose challenges to our understanding of quantum phases, many-body dynamics, and a variety of condensed matter phenomena. Advances in quantum applications, including quantum computation and metrology, rely on interactions to create entanglement and to improve sensitivity beyond the standard quantum limit. In recent years tremendous effort has been invested in developing precision experimental tools to study and simulate complicated many-body Hamiltonians. So far, such tools have been mostly realized in cold atomic systems, trapped ions and photonic networks. I propose a novel experimental approach using Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) color centers in diamond, superconducting couplers, super-resolution addressing and cryogenic cooling, as a many-body quantum spin simulator. The NV center is a unique spin defect in a robust solid, with remarkable optical properties and a long electronic spin coherence lifetime (∼3 ms at room temperature). We have recently demonstrated that this coherence time can be extended to almost 1 second at low temperature, paving the way for interaction-dominated NV-based experiments. The goal of this project is to develop a paradigm of atom-like spin defects in the solid-state as a platform for studying elaborate quantum many-body spin physics (e.g. the Haldane phase in 2D) and quantum information systems (e.g. one-way quantum computing). I intend to combine a low temperature environment with a novel optical super-resolution system and nanofabricated superconducting structures on the diamond surface to produce a unique experimental setup capable of achieving this goal. The ability to engineer and control interacting NV systems in the solid-state diamond lattice has far-reaching applications for studying fundamental problems in many-body physics and in quantum information science.

Mots-clés : nv centers in diamond,quantum simulators,hybrid quantum systems
Projet ERC : dasQ (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Condensed matter physics
Entité participante : Max Planck Society — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : MPG
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1988100.0 €

Quantum materials exhibit strong electron-electron interaction, which gives rise to such remarkable phenomena as high temperature superconductivity and colossal magnetoresistance. These materials mark one of the frontiers of modern condensed matter physics: a new class of solids where many-body physics dominates. By understanding quantum materials a new generation of devices may become available, greatly boosting our ability to handle information or harvest energy. A key difficulty is that correlated-electron materials present inherent complexity on multiple length and timescales, with static and dynamic inhomogeneities that determine cooperativity and the emergence of collective behavior. The goal of the dasQ proposal is to resolve the microscopic dynamics of quantum materials in the presence of atomic scale heterogeneity. Ultrafast pump probe spectroscopy at THz wavelength will be combined with scanning tunneling microscopy. Strong enhancement of THz radiation in the STM’s tunnel junction enables simultaneous atomic spatial resolution and picosecond time resolution. We will explore methods to control charge order locally by tip interaction, atom manipulation and coherent driving with THz fields. Atomically-resolved pump-probe spectroscopy will quantify nanometer-sized variations in quasiparticle lifetimes across inhomogeneous phases. Furthermore, the microscopic mechanism of charge density wave capture at singular pinning sites will be addressed. These experiments will impact many aspects of correlated-electron materials; one of the stated goals is to resolve how cooper pairing is modified locally when charge order competes with superconductivity. The success of the dasQ project will create new experiments that interact with many-body phases at the intrinsic length scale of charge correlation and will identify opportunities for scaling of electronic devices using quantum materials.

Mots-clés : nanoscience,quantum materials,scanning tunneling microscopy,pulsed terahertz radiation,charge density waves,superconductivity,atom manipulation,electron electron interaction,phase competition
Projet ERC : TUNNELCHEM (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Physical and analytical chemical sciences
Entité participante : University of Stuttgart — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1986750.0 €

Quantum mechanical tunneling of atoms is emerging as an ubiquitous phenomenon in chemistry. Every chemical reaction that includes a hydrogen transfer can be expected to be influenced by tunneling at room temperature. While simulations can monitor tunneling directly, experimental approaches can only detect the consequences. Theoretical investigations, as planned in TUNNELCHEM, have to keep up in order to aid the rational interpretation. We build on significant algorithmic breakthroughs recently achieved in the applicant's group, which allow accurate predictions of tunneling rates in larger systems than previously possible. These possibilities are to be exploited, which requires a big, combined project that can afford high-risk components. In TUNNELCHEM, we will investigate aspects of tunneling in several different areas of chemistry: biochemistry, astrochemistry, catalysis and algorithmic development. The investigation of tunneling contributions to enzymatic reactions will allow to plan modifications which increase the selectivity and efficiency. Several astrochemical processes can only be understood if their tunneling contributions are properly accounted for. Accurate tunneling rates will significantly improve the predictive power of models of the interstellar medium. Many processes in homogenous and heterogenous catalysis involve tunneling. A fundamental understanding of the principles involved allows for the design of improved catalysts. Further development of methods and algorithms in accordance with the demands of the applications is required. TUNNELCHEM will shift the present paradigm from descriptive investigations to a rational design of catalysts enabled by a mechanistic understanding of atom tunneling processes. Only such a combined effort may allow us to understand the principles of tunneling in chemistry and to develop concepts to exploit the tunnel effect for optimizing reactivity and selectivity of chemical reactions in biochemistry and catalysis.

Mots-clés : astrochemistry
Projet ERC : DeQ (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Condensed matter physics
Entité participante : Radboud University Nijmegen — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1912095.0 €

Quantum phases of matter in novel 2D materials host fascinating correlated electron properties, such as unconventional superconductivity, novel insulating phases and exotic magnetic order. These phenomena are a hotbed of new forms of energy-efficient technologies, which require fundamental understanding and exploration of these material classes. Since the beginning, scientists have been struggling with the puzzling lack of consistent predictability of such materials, leading predominantly to serendipitous discoveries. The key ingredient driving these exotic quantum phases are electron-electron interactions, so-called correlations. These correlations between the electrons play a prominent role in their movement, and often result into atomic-scale charge and spin order, and are amplified in 2D materials compared to their 3D counterparts. Owing to the 2D nature, a new state-of-the-art methodology is needed to elucidate the electronic and magnetic properties in correlated 2D quantum materials. DeQ investigates the role of electron correlations and their interplay with structural and spin degrees of freedom at the single-atom level in insulating quantum phases of novel 2D materials. To accomplish this aim, my innovative strategy is to quantify atomic-scale charge and spin order at transitions between different quantum phases in three classes of hallmark 2D materials: twisted bilayers, correlated quasi-2D compounds, and 2D magnetic materials. My novel approach is based on creating a new state of the art in atomic imaging and spectroscopy, the JAQ setup. The development of JAQ will enable us to precisely tune relevant parameters, like electric and magnetic fields, in the highest-quality materials available. The outcome of DeQ will be groundbreaking for predicting electron correlations in novel quantum phases in 2D materials, which that are a hotbed of innovative forms of energy-efficient technologies.

Mots-clés : correlated quantum phases,atomic scale magnetism,2d materials,scanning tunneling microscopy,magnetic exchange force microscopy
Projet ERC : PINQS (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Fundamental constituents of matter
Entité participante : Heidelberg University — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 122500.0 €

Quantum processors are envisioned to conquer ultimate challenges in information processing and to enable simulations of complex physical processes that are intractable with classical computers. Among the various experimental approaches to implement such devices, scalable technologies are particularly promising because they allow for the realization of large numbers of quantum components in circuit form. For upscaling towards functional applications distributed systems will be needed to overcome stringent limitations in quantum control, provided that high-bandwidth quantum links can be established between the individual nodes. For this purpose the use of single photons is especially attractive due to compatibility with existing fibre-optical infrastructure. However, their use in replicable, integrated optical circuits remains largely unexplored for non-classical applications. In this project nanophotonic circuits, heterogeneously integrated with superconducting nanostructures and carbon nanotubes, will be used to realize scalable quantum photonic chips that overcome major barriers in linear quantum optics and quantum communication. By relying on electro-optomechanical and electro-optical interactions, reconfigurable single photon transceivers will be devised that can act as broadband and high bandwidth nodes in future quantum optical networks. A hybrid integration approach will allow for the realization of fully functional quantum photonic modules which are interconnected with optical fiber links. By implementing quantum wavelength division multiplexing, the communication rates between individual transceiver nodes will be boosted by orders of magnitude, thus allowing for high-speed and remote quantum information processing and quantum simulation. Further exploiting recent advances in three-dimensional distributed nanophotonics will lead to a paradigm shift in nanoscale quantum optics, providing a key step towards optical quantum computing and the quantum internet.

Mots-clés : nanophotonics,optomechanics,carbon photonics
Projet ERC : Quantropy (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Synergy grants)
Entité participante : Ben-Gurion University of the Negev — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : BGU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1902393.75 €

Quantum systems that have been engineered to host correlated electronic states are of outstanding fundamental and technological interest. Often ‘exotic’ new quasi-particles emerge, such as Majorana fermions, whose inherent topological robustness forms the basis of a promising approach to quantum computation. Another recent example are sheets of pencil-lead graphene which superconduct with a proper twist between layers. Thermodynamic probes have been central for characterising new phases of matter in bulk materials. Low-dimensional systems offer greater opportunities for control, but probing their electronic states in a similar way is notoriously difficult, in part because of the small number of electrons involved. The objective of this project is to overcome this challenge and to develop a unique conceptual and experimental foundation for exploring correlated quantum states in low-dimensional systems by measuring thermodynamic quantities, in particular entropy. Entropy is one of the most fundamental of physical properties, and in recent years has been recognized as a key to understanding systems as diverse as qubits and black holes. Fully exploiting entropy measurements in mesoscopic physics will open up a new window to a mechanistic understanding of correlated quantum states in engineered structures, with promise for ground-breaking novel device paradigms. Members of the consortium have pioneered some of the few existing approaches to making thermodynamic measurements of low-dimensional systems. In combining our expertise, we will develop, test and explore a versatile suite of thermodynamic probes, and in particular i) demonstrate fractional entropy as an unequivocal observable for exotic states, including Majorana fermions; ii) develop thermodynamic measurement paradigms to probe correlated states in novel materials, in particular twisted bilayer graphene; and iii) achieve the first-time measurement of macroscopic entanglement entropy in solid-state systems.

Mots-clés : entropy,mesoscopic thermodynamics,thermodynamic probe,quantum engineering,correlated quantum systems
Projet ERC : Quantropy (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Synergy grants)
Entité participante : Centre national de la recherche scientifique — Pays : France — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : CNRS
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 3427499.75 €

Quantum systems that have been engineered to host correlated electronic states are of outstanding fundamental and technological interest. Often ‘exotic’ new quasi-particles emerge, such as Majorana fermions, whose inherent topological robustness forms the basis of a promising approach to quantum computation. Another recent example are sheets of pencil-lead graphene which superconduct with a proper twist between layers. Thermodynamic probes have been central for characterising new phases of matter in bulk materials. Low-dimensional systems offer greater opportunities for control, but probing their electronic states in a similar way is notoriously difficult, in part because of the small number of electrons involved. The objective of this project is to overcome this challenge and to develop a unique conceptual and experimental foundation for exploring correlated quantum states in low-dimensional systems by measuring thermodynamic quantities, in particular entropy. Entropy is one of the most fundamental of physical properties, and in recent years has been recognized as a key to understanding systems as diverse as qubits and black holes. Fully exploiting entropy measurements in mesoscopic physics will open up a new window to a mechanistic understanding of correlated quantum states in engineered structures, with promise for ground-breaking novel device paradigms. Members of the consortium have pioneered some of the few existing approaches to making thermodynamic measurements of low-dimensional systems. In combining our expertise, we will develop, test and explore a versatile suite of thermodynamic probes, and in particular i) demonstrate fractional entropy as an unequivocal observable for exotic states, including Majorana fermions; ii) develop thermodynamic measurement paradigms to probe correlated states in novel materials, in particular twisted bilayer graphene; and iii) achieve the first-time measurement of macroscopic entanglement entropy in solid-state systems.

Mots-clés : entropy,mesoscopic thermodynamics,thermodynamic probe,quantum engineering,correlated quantum systems
Projet ERC : Quantropy (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Synergy grants)
Entité participante : University of British Columbia — Pays : Canada — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UBC
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2663750.0 €

Quantum systems that have been engineered to host correlated electronic states are of outstanding fundamental and technological interest. Often ‘exotic’ new quasi-particles emerge, such as Majorana fermions, whose inherent topological robustness forms the basis of a promising approach to quantum computation. Another recent example are sheets of pencil-lead graphene which superconduct with a proper twist between layers. Thermodynamic probes have been central for characterising new phases of matter in bulk materials. Low-dimensional systems offer greater opportunities for control, but probing their electronic states in a similar way is notoriously difficult, in part because of the small number of electrons involved. The objective of this project is to overcome this challenge and to develop a unique conceptual and experimental foundation for exploring correlated quantum states in low-dimensional systems by measuring thermodynamic quantities, in particular entropy. Entropy is one of the most fundamental of physical properties, and in recent years has been recognized as a key to understanding systems as diverse as qubits and black holes. Fully exploiting entropy measurements in mesoscopic physics will open up a new window to a mechanistic understanding of correlated quantum states in engineered structures, with promise for ground-breaking novel device paradigms. Members of the consortium have pioneered some of the few existing approaches to making thermodynamic measurements of low-dimensional systems. In combining our expertise, we will develop, test and explore a versatile suite of thermodynamic probes, and in particular i) demonstrate fractional entropy as an unequivocal observable for exotic states, including Majorana fermions; ii) develop thermodynamic measurement paradigms to probe correlated states in novel materials, in particular twisted bilayer graphene; and iii) achieve the first-time measurement of macroscopic entanglement entropy in solid-state systems.

Mots-clés : entropy,mesoscopic thermodynamics,thermodynamic probe,quantum engineering,correlated quantum systems
Projet ERC : PyraSig (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy
Entité participante : Friedrich Schiller University Jena — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : FSU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1330157.91 €

Quorum sensing (QS) is a bacterial cell–cell communication process involving the production, release, and detection of extracellular signal molecules called autoinducers. QS is key to all microbiology as it enables otherwise solitary bacteria to coordinate complex cooperative tasks such as biofilm formation and pathogenesis. Consequently, targeting QS is a promising new concept for antimicrobial therapy. However, for this concept to become reality, we must first identify QS systems in pathogenic bacteria, discover the relevant autoinducers and study the underlying regulatory principles. I recently identified a new QS pathway in Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera disease. The autoinducer of the system is DPO (3,5-dimethylpyrazin-2-ol), a new molecule to biology and the first pyrazine involved in QS. DPO production is widespread among microbes including pathogenic and commensal bacteria. V. cholerae synthesizes DPO from host mucins and our preliminary data show that DPO controls collective phenotypes, such as biofilm formation and toxin production in this major human pathogen. I therefore hypothesize that DPO connects virulence, QS and communication with the host microbiota in V. cholerae and related bacteria. The overarching goal of this project is to understand the roles of DPO in host-microbe interaction and collective behaviours. To this end, we will pursue three key research goals. First, we will study the molecular parameters underlying DPO-signalling and probe the global effects of DPO on gene expression. Second, we will focus on the role of DPO in virulence of V. cholerae and other pathogens. Third, we will probe the effect of DPO on microbial behaviours, such as swarming and biofilm formation. This combined work will provide a comprehensive model for DPO-signalling in bacteria, which will not only advance the fundamental understanding of QS-based communication strategies, but might also provide the framework for QS-inspired anti-infectives.

Mots-clés : quorum sensing,regulatory rnas,biofilms
Projet ERC : SMILE (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Earth system science
Entité participante : Stockholm University — Pays : Suède — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1688250.0 €

Quoting T. Dobzhansky, “nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution”. This idea could shed new light on how soil microbes access, transform, store, and release their most important resources – carbon and nutrients. We know that these microbial processes have global-scale impacts, including climate regulation and provision of nutrients to plants, but how microbes respond to changes in resources remains challenging to understand and quantify with models. In fact, current models cannot reliably reproduce carbon and nutrient storage and fluxes when soils are disturbed by land use changes or environmental fluctuations (especially of soil moisture). To address these urgent challenges and improve predictability of carbon and nutrient cycling, I propose a novel theory based on the premise that microbial use of soil resources is optimized by natural selection. This approach will provide a holistic explanation of microbial processes and yield models that are more reliable than traditional ones because they account for microbial adaptation. After testing this optimality hypothesis, I will answer the broader and globally relevant question – are land use and climatic changes increasing retention or loss of soil carbon and nutrients? The project will achieve four objectives: 1) Determine the optimal strategies of resource use by soil microbes 2) Fill knowledge gaps on microbial processes by constructing new databases 3) Test the optimality theory using the new databases 4) Integrate the optimality theory into a land surface model to scale up results and assess impacts of land use and climatic (specifically hydrologic) changes on carbon and nutrient storage and fluxes These theoretical advances will spur a new generation of soil models that translate the outcomes of natural selection into reliable predictions of land use and climate change effects on global ecosystems.

Mots-clés : carbon,nitrogen,soil,modelling,microbial biomass,soil moisture,functional trait