Topology and correlations in graphene systems
Prof. Fereshte Ghahari Kermani
Department of Physics and Astronomy
George Mason University

Friday April 26
2:00 pm Room 2306
701 W. Grace St.

Abstract
Understanding quantum-correlated phases in two-dimensional (2D) systems is of important interest both for fundamental physics and quantum-based applications. In this talk, I will discuss several exciting recent developments made in understanding these phases. My focus will be on revealing the topological and strongly correlated physics, highlighting twisted moiré systems and Bernal stacked bilayer graphene, and the key  discoveries made through thermal transport measurements.
Bio:
Fereshte Ghahari is an assistant professor at George Mason University (GMU). She received a PhD in physics from Columbia University where her research was targeted toward understanding the fundamental transport properties of graphene and discovering new ways to exploit its exceptional properties. Her major accomplishments were the discovery of fractional quantum hall effect and hydrodynamic thermoelectric transport in graphene which both proved the importance of interaction effects in this system. Her Postdoctoral research at NIST was focused on studying the electron-optical behavior and Coulomb charging effects in graphene quantum dots where she discovered/explored exotic topological phenomena such as Berry phase switching and quantum Hall wedding cake structures. Her current research is centered on engineering and understanding correlated phases and novel excitations in low dimensional materials with a focus on layered materials and heterostructures by a combination of electrical transport, thermodynamics, and scanning probe microscopy measurements.