My line of research is Condensed matter physics, the study of physical systems at energy scales at which the nucleus of the atoms remains intact. Within this general framework, I specialize in studying strongly correlated magnetic materials. A remarkable example of the importance of the spin of electrons is the discovery of the giant magnetoresistance effect, which marked the beginning of the spin currents applications. The transport using magnetic excitations, or spin waves, can be accomplished without the motion of electrons, reducing energy loss in the form of Joule heating. In certain materials, the unidirectional propagation of the quanta of spin waves along their surface is topologically protected against internal and external perturbations. Studying such topological spin excitations has resulted in exotic transport phenomena like the thermal Hall effect and has led to the study of topological insulators and semimetals. Recently, the study of quantum magnets in van der Waals heterostructures has shown the entanglement between electric and magnetic degrees of freedom in low-dimensional quantum materials. It is known today that the combined effect of microscopic interactions of a material and geometrical aspects associated with its crystal field can dramatically affect the transport of information and energy. From a general fundamental perspective, I research for predicting, understanding, and modeling the manifestation of novel electromagnetic phases of matter in and out of equilibrium. Specifically, I want to understand how electricity, magnetism, and light can be combined to precisely improve the transport in systems at our disposal today, and determine under what conditions synthetic and natural materials are feasible candidates for the new generation of magnetic-semiconductor functionalities.

Quantum, Materials, Physics

Chemical Civil Engineer, Universidad de Chile 2001