Materials Challenges and Synthesis Science of Emerging Quantum Materials

Technological advances are now more than ever being driven by quantum phenomena, which in turn increases the demand for quantum materials harboring spectacular emergent properties. These intriguing properties include superconductivity, topological insulators, Weyl semimetals, and quantum liquids. Discovering and perfecting quantum materials is challenging on multiple levels. More accurately accounting for electron correlations motivates new theoretical tools and approaches. Challenging oxidation states and complex structures—both in bulk compounds and thin-film heterostructures—lie far from known synthesis paths and benefit from modern synthesis-science approaches harnessing the combined wisdom of theory and experiment. This overview of materials challenges and synthesis science of emerging quantum materials Special Topic will feature the latest and most promising material systems and advances in synthesis and characterization probes. Equally important, it will also focus on the benefits of strengthened connections between theory, materials synthesis, and characterization to surmount challenges and realize new or improved quantum materials.