Proximity driven exotic phenomena at the interface of two dissimilar ground states

The subtle condensation of tiny atoms, consisting of merely electrons and nucleons, has been at the helm of the genesis of condensed media which have culminated in myriad forms of the interesting systems adorned with distinguished physical properties. The state of a system with unique characteristic property acquired at absolute zero temperature is referred to as its ground state. Subsequent discoveries of complex systems comprising more than one ground state, e.g., magnetic superconductors, multi-ferroics and manganites etc., have brought new dimension in the research arena of condensed matter physics. This has provided a clue to researcher to explore the possibility of artificial design of heterostructures by bringing two dissimilar ground states, which do not coexist otherwise, in an intimate contact and study the evolution of modified physical properties of composite ground states across the interface. This novel idea has opened a new field of research topic popularly referred to as proximity effect, which over the period of time has proven not only interesting on basic research point of view but also possesses immense potential to be harnessed for technological applications. In summary, a brief description of various facets and outcomes of proximity effect studies involving the interplay of a superconducting (conventional as well as non-conventional) ground states with a few selected systems such as NM, FM and CMR comprising single as well as multiple long range magnetic ordered ground states have been presented. The objective of this presentation was to give a general feel about the excitement, intricacies and richness of the ongoing research activities in areas of proximity effects across the interface of two competing long range ground states