Synthetic Quantum Materials Group

We are interested in understanding the emergence of novel states of matter, such as topological insulators, topological superconductors, etc. We use van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures and atom manipulation as a platform to create, understand, and manipulate these states and their excitations. 

Here are some key aspects of our research focus:

• Novel States of Matter: Topological materials are at the forefront of modern condensed matter physics. These quantum materials possess unique properties due to their topological characteristics, enabling the robust flow of current along their edges (topological edge states) and potentially hosting Majorana fermions in superconducting states. Understanding and harnessing these states can revolutionize areas like quantum computing and quantum information processing. 

  Nature 599, 582–586 (2021)  Nature 588, 424–428 (2020)

• Van der Waals Heterostructures as a Versatile Platform: Van der Waals heterostructures provide an ideal playground to engineer quantum materials with specific properties. By stacking atomically thin layers of different materials on top of each other, Importantly, we can tailor the electronic structure and interactions, leading to a wide range of tunable quantum phenomena. 

 Nano Lett. 2022, 22, 1, 328–333, Adv. Mater. 2021, 33, 2006850, Commun. Phys. 2020, 3, 116,

• Spin Properties on Surfaces: Exploring the spin properties of atoms and molecules on surfaces adds another dimension to our research. Spintronics, a field that exploits the intrinsic spin of particles for electronic devices, is a rapidly growing area of interest. Understanding and manipulating spin states on surfaces can lead to advancements in quantum computing, magnetic data storage, and more. 

 Nano Lett. 2018, 18, 4, 2311–2315, Nano Lett. 2019, 19, 7, 4614–4619, Nat. Nanotechnol. 15, 22–28 (2020)

• Light-matter interaction at atomic scales: The interactions between individual atoms or molecules and photons (particles of light) in a quantum regime. At this level, the wave nature of light and the quantized energy levels of atoms or molecules become significant, leading to unique and fascinating phenomena. A combination of photonics and scanning probe techniques provides a powerful approach to studying light-matter interactions at atomic space-time scales. This interdisciplinary field holds promise for both fundamental research and the advancement of cutting-edge technologies. 

Overall, our research aims to push the boundaries of our knowledge about novel quantum states and their potential use in future technologies. The combination of van der Waals heterostructures and the study of these exotic states holds immense promise for advancing both fundamental physics and applied technology.