Perovskite Nanodot Superlattices: Artificial Quantum Materials

Using perovskite nanodot superlattices as artificial quantum materials, ILAMP is pioneering a new frontier in condensed matter physics. This project, in collaboration with SISSA Trieste and IIT Genova, has been funded under the Italian MUR PRIN 2022 program to explore how light can be used to control and simulate the behavior of strongly correlated quantum systems — the same class of materials that underlie high-temperature superconductors and quantum technologies.

The research introduces halide perovskite nanocubes that self-assemble into three-dimensional, highly ordered superlattices. These artificial structures mimic the behavior of real quantum materials but offer an unprecedented level of control over their properties. By using ultrafast coherent spectroscopy, the team can manipulate light-induced excitons — the electron–hole pairs inside the material — and map how they evolve into metallic, insulating, or collective quantum phases.

The goal is to create a quantum simulator, where parameters like light intensity and photon energy play the role of temperature and doping in traditional materials. This approach allows scientists to reproduce and study fundamental phenomena such as the Mott insulator-to-metal transition, superradiance, and superconductivity within an engineered, tunable environment. The outcomes will impact on quantum photonics, ultrafast information science, and low-energy optoelectronic technologies.