The conference is open to any topic of interest in the field of strongly correlated electrons, both from the theoretical as well as the experimental point of view (submit an abstract if you want to partipate!). In addition we consider four main topics to articulate the conference:
- high temperature superconductivity (HTCS), including pnictides and cuprates: The microscopic theories of the high-Tc cuprates and the iron pnictides are still not determined. In the case of the pnictides, we need to sort out the multiband nature of the FeAs materials and the complex role played by the magnetic ordering and the crystal structure. It is also important to identify the similarities and differences between both families of unconventional superconductors because that may help unravel the physics of both of them. For this purpose it is important to bridge the communities working in strongly correlated electron systems and electronic band structure calculations. Young researchers from both communities will have the opportunity of exchanging ideas during the conference.
- topological insulators (TI) and topological order: The theoretical proposals about the existence of TI (materials which are insulators in the bulk, but have metallic surface modes protected from Anderson localization) have been rapidly confirmed in an astonishing series of experiments that found both two- and three-dimensional examples of topological insulating materials. Similarities with graphene (surface modes show Dirac-cones without valley degeneracy), possible applications in topological quantum computing, and the physics of heterostructures combining topological insulators and other materials are topics that will be for sure discussed in the conference.
- oxide heterostructures: The recent discovery that the interface between two non-magnetic insulators can become conducting (and even magnetic or superconducting) has produced a huge interest in the study of polar interfaces between (mainly) perovskite oxides. Devices have already been constructed with these configurations. Still the community needs to address questions as what the role of oxygen vacancies is in conductivity, whether there is a real two-dimensional electron gas forming at the interface, or how can one make homogeneous the conductance both on the nanoscale and at large scale.
- graphene: The isolation of atomically flat graphene planes in 2004, boosted an enormous interest and activity in the scientific community, only matched in the last 30 years by the discovery of HTCS. Strong carbon-carbon bonds make relatively easy to obtain good quality metallic atomic layers, a great playfield for fundamental physics. But many basic questions remain open: is there an intrinsic minimum conductivity or is due to impurities? What are the challenges and perspectives for the use of graphene in the next generation of electronic devices? Putting together young experimentalist and theoreticians working in graphene and close-related areas is very important for establishing successful collaborations, which can give an answer to the fundamental questions.
