High-temperature superconductors : some key mysteries..

Lectures on June 9 and 16 focused on the physics of the Mott metal-insulator transition, essential for understanding the physical properties of many transition metal oxides. The main theoretical descriptions of this phenomenon were presented: Brinkman and Rice theory, dynamic mean field theory and its physical consequences. Numerous experimental aspects were also presented. A seminar presented by Andrew J. Millis (Columbia University) on "Illuminating the Strong Correlation Problem: optical conductivity of manganites, nickelates and cuprates" compared the properties of three-dimensional oxides with those of superconducting cuprates, through their optical properties.