Textures, Topology, and Strong Interactions

The quest for materials with novel properties is integral to the fabric of our society. Among these, compounds that exhibit correlated electron states and emergent phenomena such as superconductivity, excellent thermoelectric performance, novel magnetic properties or new optical and electric performance have great promise, but also difficulties that need to be overcome. At the same time, the field of correlated electrons represents the frontier of our understanding of the electronic properties of solids. It contains deep open scientific issues within the understanding of macroscopic quantum phenomena in matter. The aim of the 2014 Gordon Conference on Correlated Electron Systems is to explore and understand the physics of such correlated electron systems.

This conference will present cutting-edge research on emergent properties arising from strong electronic correlations. It will feature a wide range of topics, such as the emergence of nematic states in correlated systems, recent developments in strong spin-orbit coupled systems, the role of topology in heavy-fermion materials, and correlations and superconductivity at oxide interfaces. Other topics are concerned with quantum transport and Mott-Ioffe-Regel limit violations, and the emergence of skyrmions in correlated materials. The conference will bring together a collection of investigators who are at the forefront of their field, and will provide opportunities for junior scientists and graduate students to present their work in poster format and exchange ideas with leaders in the field. We intend to have talks by established leaders in the field and also by young researchers who have already made seminal contributions to various aspects of correlated electron physics. The historically collegial atmosphere of this meeting, with programmed discussion sessions as well as opportunities for informal gatherings in the afternoons and evenings, provides an avenue for scientists from different disciplines to brainstorm and promotes cross-disciplinary collaborations in the various research areas represented. The conference format allows uniquely informal and extended interactions. To stimulate interactions and discussions that go beyond the focus of the speakers, "active" session chairpersons will be strongly encouraged to provide thematic overview of each issue and to guide discussions towards conclusions that will help advance the field.