Education

PhD Candidate: Utrecht University, 2020-2025

Master Degree Theoretical Physics: Università di Bologna, 2017-2020

Bachelor Physics: Università di Bologna, 2014-2017

Superconducting Density Functional Theory

Superconductivity is a truly fascinating quantum phenomenon that goes beyond the classical idea of electricity flowing with resistance. It’s one of those rare cases where quantum effects show up on a large scale, like in the Meissner effect. The groundbreaking work of Bardeen, Cooper, and Schrieffer (BCS) in 1957 gave us a microscopic theory to understand superconductivity. They explained that when electrons pair up, thanks to vibrations in the crystal lattice (phonons), they form Cooper pairs at very low temperatures.

But, there’s more to superconductivity than just the BCS theory. Some types, known as unconventional or exotic superconductivity, don't fit into the BCS framework. These include high-temperature superconductors and multiband superconductors, where multiple bands cross the Fermi surface, leading to various superconducting states.

Superconductivity can also emerge from strong interactions between electrons, the mix of disorder and dimensionality, or the proximity effect between a conventional superconductor and a topological insulator. This last type, called topological superconductivity, is especially exciting for quantum computing because it might host quantum bits based on Majorana zero modes.

Understanding and modeling these complex types of superconductivity requires a few key approaches:

Realistically describing the interfaces between normal and superconducting materials, which is crucial for modeling topological superconductors. Combining the properties of both normal and superconducting states to predict band structure, density of states, and charge densities. Exploring unconventional pairing mechanisms beyond BCS theory, such as p-wave spin-triplet pairing.

My research in this area primarily involved implementing the Bogoliubov-de-Gennes equations for superconductors within the SIESTA code ^[?]. I also focused on studying proximity-induced superconductivity in a superconductor (Pb) and semiconductor (PbTe) heterostructure ^[?] and FeSe on top of a SrTiO ₃ substrate ^[?].