Prof. Garnet Chan, Cornell University

Strongly interacting electrons in chemistry

Physical Chemistry Seminar Series

Molecular orbital theory is the basis of our understanding of electronic structure in molecules. However, the main assumption, that electron interactions have only a small part to play in the electronic structure, breaks down in much of chemistry. The much richer quantum landscape of strongly interacting electrons remains to be explored. Using systems ranging from small transition metal species to light-harvesting pigments as examples, I will describe how some key
techniques that we are developing - canonical transformations, renormalisation groups, and quantum tensor networks - are contributing to a new understanding of strongly interacting electrons in chemistry.

For more information contact Prof. David Sherrill (404-894-4037).