Quantum Materials & Imaging Laboratory

Principal Investigator

Ibrahim Abdelwahab, Staff Scientist

Ibrahim leads the Quantum Materials & Imaging Laboratory, where the group explores quantum materials using advanced microscopy tools that achieve optical spatial resolution below 10 nm—independent of illumination wavelength—and operate at temperatures down to sub-10 K.

Biography Publications
Photograph of Dr. Ibrahim Abdelwahab

Our Research

Degrees of freedom
Future applications

Electrons in quantum materials possess multiple degrees of freedom—charge, spin, and orbital—all shaped by the topological and chiral properties dictated by the crystal lattice’s atomic potential. The complex interplay between these degrees of freedom gives rise to a diverse array of electronic phases, especially in the two-dimensional (2D) limit. Our interdisciplinary research investigates and seeks to control the dynamics and coupling of these quantum degrees of freedom, with the goal of harnessing these emergent phases for next-generation applications.

Research Themes

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We specialize in advanced scanning probe microscopy techniques.

We specialize in cryogenic nanoscopy, using advanced scanning probe techniques such as cryogenic s‑SNOM and PiFM to probe the optical and electronic properties of low-dimensional quantum materials at sub‑10 nm resolution (from the visible to the terahertz) and at temperatures below 10 K. By identifying and engineering next-generation quantum materials, our research drives the development of energy-efficient devices critical for sustainable AI, quantum hardware, and future energy technologies. 

Advanced SPM

Research Facilities

At Harvard, we established the university’s first cryogenic scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscope (s-SNOM) to investigate novel phenomena in low-dimensional quantum materials. This platform uniquely integrates state-of-the-art s-SNOM technology with cryogenic capabilities, broadband laser sources, and in situ electric fields—making it one of fewer than 20 such systems worldwide. It enables comprehensive analysis of quantum materials across multiple length, frequency, and energy scales, which is crucial for probing quasiparticle reconstruction, topology, and correlated-electron excitations.

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The cryogenic scanning near-field optical microscopy setup

Representative Publications

44

Publications

32

h-index

>4,900

Citations

Top 1%

Most highly cited authors in materials science over the past 10 years

Publications

>40 Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications in top‐tier scientific journals, including Science, Nature Photonics, Nature Materials, Nature Chemistry, Nature Communications, Science Advances, Advanced Materials, JACS, ACS Nano, Nano Letters, etc. 

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