To access this work you must either be on the Smith College campus OR have valid Smith login credentials.

On Campus users: To access this work if you are on campus please Select the Download button.

Off Campus users: To access this work from off campus, please select the Off-Campus button and enter your Smith username and password when prompted.

Non-Smith users: You may request this item through Interlibrary Loan at your own library.

Publication Date

2023-5

First Advisor

Casey Berger

Document Type

Honors Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Physics

Keywords

physics, computational physics, quantum physics, machine learning, Monte Carlo method, Ising model pyrochlore iridate

Abstract

Pyrochlore iridates are a class of materials that experience a metal to insulator phase transition in response to temperature or pressure. These materials are of particular interest due to their applications for superconductivity and other areas of physics. This thesis investigates methods of modeling and identifying phase transitions. The statistical nature of phase transitions lends itself well to computational study, however there are limitations such as the sign problem. Due to the complexity of pyrochlore iridates, the Ising model was first created using Monte Carlo methods to explore simple phase transitions dependent on temperature. To categorize these phase transitions, this project used two types of machine learning: supervised and unsupervised. The methods for creating the Ising model were applied to a toy model for pyrochlore iridates. With this toy model, the feasibility of using neural networks to identify phases, which specific focus on the Weyl semimetal phase, for pyrochlore iridates was tested.

Rights

©2023 Elizabeth Morningstar. Access limited to the Smith College community and other researchers while on campus. Smith College community members also may access from off-campus using a Smith College log-in. Other off-campus researchers may request a copy through Interlibrary Loan for personal use.

Language

English

Comments

85 pages: color illustrations, charts. Includes bibliographical references (pages 82-85).

Share

COinS