Speaker: Ivar Martin (Argonne)

Host: Chandan Setty

Title: Condensed Matter Axions: Bridging Particle Physics, Quantum Materials, and Nonlinear Optics.

Abstract: Axions were originally proposed to resolve the strong CP problem in particle physics and are now a leading dark matter candidate. Recently, condensed matter systems have emerged as surprising platforms where axion-like excitations can both arise and be dynamically controlled. I will discuss the theoretical background and experimental progress to probe condensed matter axion quasiparticles—collective modes resembling antiferromagnetic magnons in topological insulators and related materials. I will also explore how these systems can not only emulate axion physics but may serve as dark matter detectors, while also enabling novel applications in nonlinear optics, such as phase conjugation and holography.