# 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.* [ arrow\_forward Biography ](/people/ibrahim-abdelwahab) [ arrow\_forward Publications ](/publications) ![Photograph of Dr. Ibrahim Abdelwahab](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-11/Photograph_Ibrahim%20Abdelwahab_0.png?h=d5369325&itok=ZY3aKuao) ## Our Research ![Degrees of freedom](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/2025-11/1%20copy.png) ![Future applications](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/2025-11/2%20copy.png) 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 [### Cryogenic Nanoscopy ](/cryogenic-nanoscopy)Characterization Visualizing the Invisible: Nanoscale Insights into Quantum Materials Representative Publications: [*Nature Communications 13, 138 (2022)*](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27747-x) [*Science Advances 8, eabj0395 (2022)*](https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abj0395) [*Nature Communications 11, 5483 (2020)*](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19331-6) [*Advanced Materials 30, 1704619 (2018)*](https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201704619) ![SNOM](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-11/SNOM%20_0.png?itok=ICEkPeyY) [### Van der Waals materials & devices ](/van-der-waals-materials-devices)Materials Building Tomorrow’s Devices, One Layer at a Time Representative Publications: [*Nature Materials 17, 908 (2018)*](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-018-0164-8) [*Nature Chemistry 9, 563 (2017)*](https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.2696) [*Nature Communications 13, 1884 (2022)*](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-29495-y) [*JACS 139, 2504 (2017)*](https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.6b13238) ![2D materials and devices](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-11/bdc2c959-f89c-4bbd-81ad-5ff812fdcb49_large_0.png?itok=OJpVWGAl) [### Sustainable AI & Quantum Hardware ](/sustainable-ai-quantum-hardware)Applications Advancing Neuromorphic & Photonic Quantum Computing with Energy-Efficient Devices Representative Publications: [*Science 385, 311 (2024)*](https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adq0967) [*Nature Photonics 16, 644 (2022)*](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41566-022-01021-y) [*Adv. Funct. Mater. 30, 2004609 (2020)*](https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202004609) [*Advanced Materials 31, 1902685 (2019)*](https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201902685) ![Sustainable AI & Quantum Hardware](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-11/Sustainable%20AI%20%26%20Quantum%20Hardware%20_0.png?itok=qQd4WXRq) [ Learn More arrow\_circle\_right ](/research) ## 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](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-11/images_large_ph5c00353_0007.jpeg?itok=wuowKCgb) ### 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. [ Learn More arrow\_circle\_right ](/facilities) ![The cryogenic scanning near-field optical microscopy setup](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-11/Cryo-SNOM.jpg?itok=dCUk454T) ## Representative Publications [### Science 385, 311 (2024) ](https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adq0967) ![Science](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-11/Science.jpg?itok=ua1P5lfB) [### Nat. Photonics 16, 644 (2022) ](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41566-022-01021-y) ![nat photon](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-11/nphoton.jpg?itok=C_ZDg3vx) [### Nat. Mater. 17, 908 (2018) ](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-018-0164-8) ![nat materials](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-11/nmaterials.png?itok=nDGB4EjK) [### Nat. Commun. 13, 1884 (2022) ](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-29495-y) ![Nat Communication](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-11/Nature_Communication.jpg?itok=EtKyymOL) [### Adv. Mater. 31, 1902685 (2019) ](https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201902685) ![adv mater](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-11/admater.jpg?itok=6OObWzcG) [### Adv. Opt. Mater. 11, 2202833 (2023) ](https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202202833) ![Adv Opt Mater](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-11/adom202370019-gra-0001-m.jpg?itok=HbA3Ltqo) [### ACS Nano 12, 644 (2018) ](https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.7b07698) ![ACS Nano](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-11/ancac3.2018.12.issue-1.largecover.jpg?itok=fXZnxtsE) [### JACS 139, 2504 (2017) ](https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.6b13238) ![JACS](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-11/jacsat.2017.139.issue-6.largecover.jpg?itok=XmthWK8y) 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. Download 3 citations download- [BibTeX](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=3&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=bibtex) - [EndNote X3 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=3&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=endnote8) - [EndNote 7 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=3&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=endnote7) - [Endnote tagged](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=3&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=tagged) - [Marc](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=3&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=marc) - [PubMedId](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=3&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=pubmed_id) - [RIS](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=3&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=ris) ### 2024 *[“Two-Dimensional Chiral Perovskites with Large Spin Hall Angle and Collinear Spin Hall Conductivity”, Science 385, 311 (2024)](/publication/two-dimensional-chiral-perovskites-large-spin-hall-angle-and-collinear-spin-hall)*. (2024). *[“Two-Dimensional Chiral Perovskites with Large Spin Hall Angle and Collinear Spin Hall Conductivity”, Science 385, 311 (2024)](/publication/two-dimensional-chiral-perovskites-large-spin-hall-angle-and-collinear-spin-hall)*. (2024). - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adq0967) - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adq0967) ### 2023 *[“Ni–Co–P Functionalized Nitrogen-Doped-Carbon Quantum Dots for Efficient Methanol Electrooxidation and Nanofluid Applications”, Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry 928, 117083 (2023)](/publication/ni-co-p-functionalized-nitrogen-doped-carbon-quantum-dots-efficient-methanol)*. (2023). *[“Ni–Co–P Functionalized Nitrogen-Doped-Carbon Quantum Dots for Efficient Methanol Electrooxidation and Nanofluid Applications”, Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry 928, 117083 (2023)](/publication/ni-co-p-functionalized-nitrogen-doped-carbon-quantum-dots-efficient-methanol)*. (2023). - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2022.117083) - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2022.117083) *[“Pressure Driven Rotational Isomerism in 2D Hybrid Perovskites” Nature Communications 14, 411 (2023)](/publication/pressure-driven-rotational-isomerism-2d-hybrid-perovskites-nature-communications-14-411)*. (2023). *[“Pressure Driven Rotational Isomerism in 2D Hybrid Perovskites” Nature Communications 14, 411 (2023)](/publication/pressure-driven-rotational-isomerism-2d-hybrid-perovskites-nature-communications-14-411)*. (2023). - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-36032-y) - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-36032-y) [ View All Publications arrow\_circle\_right ](/publications)