Quantum Condensates and Quantum Geometry

Recent advances in the atomic-scale synthesis of two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures have opened unprecedented opportunities for exploring quantum condensation phenomena, particularly unconventional superconductivity, in highly tunable environments. The ability to manipulate electronic properties through electrostatic gating, pressure, or ad-atom placement enables access to rich and complex phase diagrams featuring strongly correlated and competing ordered states.

A central theme in this context is the role of quantum geometry, encompassing both Berry curvature and quantum metric, in shaping the behavior of quantum condensates. These geometric concepts provide powerful tools for understanding quantized transport phenomena, spin textures, and the emergence of superconductivity in flat-band systems, where a finite quantum metric is essential for sustaining supercurrents.

The interplay between superconductivity and spin degrees of freedom gives rise to novel effects such as superconducting spintronics, while the recent discovery of altermagnetism introduces further possibilities for hybrid states in engineered materials. Combining geometry, topology, and symmetry breaking in low-dimensional quantum systems promises to yield fundamentally new physical insights and applications.

Despite strong regional expertise in both Germany and the Nordic countries, the field remains fragmented. A bilateral Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Seminar, to be held at Nordita, Stockholm, aims to unify researchers from these communities around the emerging interface of quantum geometry and unconventional superconductivity. This meeting will serve as a platform to consolidate scientific directions, foster collaborations, and shape the future of quantum condensed matter physics in Europe.