#  Research 

 



##  Our Research 

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 directions](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/styles/hwp_1_1__960x960_scale/public/2025-11/Research%20directions.jpg?itok=ZH1KYDfm) 

 



 

  

 

 

##  Research Themes 

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.

 

 



  [### 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)



 

   ![Scanning near-field optical microscopy](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-11/SNOM%20.png?itok=VgGC_UQK) 

 

 

 

  [### 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 material devices](/sites/g/files/omnuum12601/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-11/bdc2c959-f89c-4bbd-81ad-5ff812fdcb49_large.png?itok=A5_EXMon) 

 

 

 

  [### 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.png?itok=xcmGTtXR) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

##  Research and Teaching Fields 

  
Nanotechnology, Nanophotonics, Quantum Materials, 2D Materials, Condensed Matter Physics

• Scanning near-field microscopies  
• Ultrafast spectroscopy  
• Strong light–matter coupling (polaritons)  
• Advanced 2D materials, heterostructures, and nanofabrication  
• Spin-orbitronics for sustainable AI hardware  
• Integrated nonlinear optics for quantum photonics