Dr. Anna Razumnaya from the Jožef Stefan Institute, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Picardie, IFW Dresden, the University of Toronto, and Terra Quantum AG, published a review article Topological Foundations of Ferroelectricity in the prestigious journal Physics Reports. The study presents the fundamental role of topology in ferroelectric materials and provides a groundbreaking framework for understanding and classifying complex polarization structures in nanostructured ferroelectric, paving the way for technological applications. By drawing parallels between hydrodynamics and electrostatics, this research demonstrates how fundamental topological concepts can be applied to ferroelectric materials to better understand and manipulate their polarization structures. This study opens new prospects for the development of polar materials, including traditional ferroelectrics and newly discovered soft ferroelectric materials, while also advancing the frontiers of their potential applications in cutting-edge electronic devices. |
Matjaž Gomilšek from the Condensed Matter Physics Department at the Jožef Stefan Institute and the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana has published a paper Anisotropic Skyrmion and Multi-q Spin Dynamics in Centrosymmetric Gd₂PdSi₃ in Physical Review Letters as the leading author, together with co-authors from the UK, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, and Japan. In the paper they discover a pronounced directional dependence of magnetic dynamics in topologically-protected whirls of magnetization called skyrmions. The observed behavior is very unusual, since the studied material is highly symmetrical. The researchers also discover a strong directional dependence of magnetic dynamics in the previously-unidentified ground state of the material, which suggests that it is the much-sought-after lattice of merons (“halves” of a skyrmion). These discoveries significantly contribute to solving the puzzle of the stability of topological magnetic textures in highly symmetrical materials. Skyrmions can be used for data storage, spintronics (a magnetic analogue of electronics), or as a platform for advanced (reservoir-computing) artificial intelligence. |
A recent study, Antiferroelectric Order in Nematic Liquids: Flexoelectricity vs. Electrostatics, by Peter Medle Rupnik, Ema Hanžel, Matija Lovšin, prof. dr. Natan Osterman, dr. Nerea Sebastian, and doc. dr. Alenka Mertelj from the Jožef Stefan Institute and University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, along with colleagues from the University of Leeds, published in Advanced Science, explores the origin of antiferroelectric order in nematic liquids. It identifies flexoelectric coupling—between electric polarization and splay deformation of the nematic director—as the dominant mechanism. The study sheds light on the intermediate phase between apolar and ferroelectric nematic states, characterized by a distinct antiferroelectric response to electric fields. However, its structure and formation mechanisms remain debated, with flexoelectric and electrostatics effects proposed as competing mechanisms. By advancing the understanding of ferroelectric nematic liquids and their phase transitions, this work provides a refined framework for future research in the field. |
Dr Matjaž Humar, Head of the Laboratory for Biological and Soft Photonics and Quantum Optics at the Department of Condensed Matter Physics at the Jožef Stefan Institute, and Dr Andrii Tykhonov have obtained European Research Council (ERC) grants to consolidate their independent research careers. For both of them, this is their second ERC research project and an absolute confirmation of what top scientists they are. The goal of Dr. Humar’s project, SoftQuanta – Soft and biological quantum light sources, is to develop unprecedented quantum light sources in soft and biological matter based on liquid crystals. In other words, the project envisions the creation of a quantum LCD, with the potential to radically transform the field of quantum optics. Dr Andrii Tykhonov's research project PeVGALAXY - Direct PeV Detection of Galactic Cosmic Rays in Space aims to accurately detect for the first time cosmic rays in space at the highest energy levels, which will allow scientists to pinpoint the origin of the most powerful stellar explosions in our galaxy. Congratulations! |
