ÖPG-CMD Joint Meeting 2026

Introduction to the minicolloquium “Recent developments of the polaron theory”

Sep 21, 2026, 10:30 AM

15m

HS 15.04 (University of Graz)

3) Contributed talk M12 - Recent Developments of the Polaron Theory Mini-Colloquium

Speakers

Cesare Franchini (Computational Materials Physics, University of Vienna, Austria) Jacques Tempere (TQC, Universiteit Antwerpen, Belgium) Matthew Houtput (University of Antwerp)Dr Serghei Klimin (TQC, University of Antwerp, Belgium)

Description

The present minicolloquium builds upon and extends a series of successful sessions organized with our participation at previous EPS-CMD Conferences: “Collective Effects and Non-Equilibrium Phenomena in Quantum Gases and Superconductors” (CMD29 – Manchester, 2022), “Quantum Gases as Analogues of Condensed Matter Systems” (CMD30 – Milano, 2023), and “Collective and Nonlinear Phenomena in Confined Quantum Systems” (CMD31 – Braga, 2024).

The concept of polaron has undergone significant broadening relative to its original formulation. Traditional theoretical approaches were largely confined to the linear-harmonic approximation for both the phonon field and the electron–phonon interaction. The inclusion of higher-order terms beyond this approximation can substantially affect the optical response and the kinetics of impurities embedded in crystals. In recent years, sustained efforts along these lines have led to the emergence of the concept of the anharmonic polaron.

While the minicolloquium places particular emphasis on spin-orbit–entangled anharmonic polarons, its scope is not limited to this topic. Rather, it aims to bring together experts working on diverse aspects of polaron physics across a range of media – including crystals, polymers, quantum gases, surfaces, and layered structures – and to highlight recent advances in both methodology and applications of the polaron concept.