Bridging Distances: Research Discoveries and Social Bonding at the ct.qmat Cluster Retreat 2023

Overview

Engaging presentations, captivating posters, and team-building exercises like the marshmallow challenge and the spaghetti tower marked the 2023 Retreat of the Würzburg-Dresden Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat, held in Bayreuth from March 20 to 22. The three days were brimming with the latest insights from the cluster areas Topological Electrons (A), Quantum Magnetism (B), and Topological Photonics (C), accompanied by many personal meetings.

 

Eight sessions, 26 top-class presentations and 40 posters, 125 participants, a full conference room and fascinating debates: the Cluster Retreat 2023 in Bayreuth, Bavaria, was a resounding success, according to Würzburg cluster spokesperson Professor Ralph Claessen. “From topological and dynamic systems, quantum phase transitions, new magnetic and electronic orders, to frustrated magnetism and unconventional superconductivity – the event offered a comprehensive view of all the ongoing research across the Cluster’s A, B, and C areas.”

 

After-Dinner Discussion on Gender Equality

 

One of the standout moments was the after-dinner discussion on the first evening moderated by Professor Elena Hassinger with guest speaker Professor Petra Rudolf, a solid-state physicist from the University of Groningen. A past president of both the European Physical Society and the Belgian Physical Society, Rudolf spoke on “Unconscious Bias: Its impact on science careers, and strategies for mitigation.” She emphasized how bias could significantly influence one’s own trajectory as well as other people’s careers. The main thrust of her talk focused on ways to identify common biases in the workplace, such as performance bias, and strategies to neutralize them. Additionally, Rudolf opened the scientific program of the retreat with her talk on “Germanane: A versatile member of the 2D materials family.” Germanane (GeH) is a two-dimensional layered crystal. GeH monolayer films are being explored for potential use in fields such as (opto)electronics and antibacterial coatings.

 

Introducing the Newest Cluster Professor

 

Elena Hassinger also took the opportunity to formally introduce herself to the ct.qmat community as a newly-appointed cluster professor and to discuss her research domain. Positioned at TU Dresden, she holds the chair for low-temperature physics of complex electron systems at ct.qmat. Hassinger is an expert in solid-state physics at very low temperatures down to 0.01 Kelvin (–273.14°C) and studies unusual quantum phenomena. One of her primary interests is cerium rhodium arsenic (CeRh2As2) — an unconventional superconductor showing great potential. This two-phase superconductor was also at the heart of a presentation during the session on unconventional superconductivity on the last day of the retreat (Konstantin Semeniuk: “Interaction of ordered states in the two-phase superconductor CeRh2As2”).

 

Awards for Best Posters, New Addition to the AO, and a Board Meeting

 

Two individuals emerged victorious in the poster presentation segment with their pioneering findings, standing out among 40 strong contenders: Pablo Basteiro and Jonas Erhardt, both from JMU Würzburg. All retreat attendees were involved in the anonymous voting process. Basteiro, a member of Professor Johanna Erdmenger’s group, showcased “Aperiodic Spin Chains for Discrete Holography on Hyperbolic Tilings.” The poster by Erhardt, who is part of Claessen’s research team, was entitled “Bulk Signatures of Topology in a QSH Insulator Probed by Circular Dichroism in ARPES.” For it, he used ARPES (angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy) to explore an indium monolayer possessing a triangular lattice form, which nevertheless has the topological attributes of a honeycomb lattice.

 

Furthermore, the retreat presented an opportunity to welcome Katharina Klug from Würzburg as the newest member of the Administrative Office (AO). A graduate in biology from Konstanz and Würzburg, Klug later honed her expertise in clinical neurobiology. At ct.qmat’s program office, her responsibilities will include overseeing organizational aspects of the Quantum Matter Academy, the Grete Hermann Network (GHN), and the recruitment of young scientists.

 

Matthias Vojta, the Dresden cluster spokesperson, noted: “We also used the event in Bayreuth to get the entire Steering Committee together. At this meeting, we dealt for the first time with the continuation proposal for the next phase of the Excellence Strategy, which is set to be a focal point for us through 2023 and 2024.”

 

Building Bonds between Würzburg and Dresden

 

Be it team games such as the marshmallow challenge involving the construction of a spaghetti “Tower of Power” or the guided tour of Bayreuth, everyone from young scientists to seasoned Principal Investigators (PIs) was delighted to take part. The core purpose of these Cluster of Excellence retreats goes beyond academia: they are pivotal social gatherings that foster camaraderie and cultivate lasting memories. As Claessen remarked: “Such moments are unforgettable and crucial for fostering unity and understanding.” He continued: “With our two distinct locations, Würzburg and Dresden, situated almost 400 kilometers apart, it’s essential to consistently weave connections between them. These retreats adeptly bridge that gap. The inherent social aspect of these sessions enhances inter-site communication, catalyzing fruitful scientific collaborations. Following events like this, we’re much better acquainted with our colleagues in both Dresden and Würzburg.” Echoing this sentiment, Vojta added: “Kudos to the planning team for orchestrating an all-around successful retreat!”