The past decade has seen a huge surge of interest in matter that cannot be described by our standard theories such as Landau-Ginzburg theory or the Standard Model. For example, the theoretical proposal and subsequent experimental realization of topological phases in materials has ushered in a newera in the discovery of new forms of matter. On top of this, how these new phases of matter interact with our conventional order parameters such as superconducting, ferroelectricity, and magnetism, is an emerging area. In this
talk, I will discuss how theory and ab initio calculations have driven the discovery of such novel forms of matter, with applications in classical and quantum computing. I will especially emphasize the emerging role of understanding disordered quantum materials. Finally, I will discuss how such emergent phenomena in quantum materials are apt for exploring matter that cannot be described by the Standard Model – dark matter – and how designer Hamiltonian approaches can suggest new ideas and enhanced sensitivities for
low-mass dark matter detection.

Dr Sinéad Griffin 

Staff Scientist, Materials Science Division & Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, USA