Condensed Matter Seminar: Criticality in quantum ferroelectric metals

Quantum ferroelectric metals offer a fascinating window into the dynamical processes that give rise to inversion symmetry breaking in quantum materials. At the same time, they constitute an extremely promising platform for future quantum applications. I will describe a recent theoretical attempt to describe the ferroelectric quantum critical point in such systems, and share some insights about what makes the ferroelectric transition unique in the landscape of symmetry-breaking phenomena in correlated electron systems. If time permits, I will also describe recent puzzling experimental results on SrTiO3, a posterchild example of a quantum ferroelectric metal, after it is plastically deformed.