Research
Research
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In our group, we tackle fundamental challenges at the heart of Solar Energy Conversion and Quantum Information Science, by exploring the unique interactions between light and spins. Operating at the interface of chemistry, physics and materials science, we investigate phenomena such as spin-selective pathways in organic molecules, thin films, and devices, as well as light-driven dynamics in molecular qubits.
While our research is driven by fundamental questions, we maintain a focus on practical applications. We are currently extending our studies to the device scale by establishing dedicated fabrication laboratories. Our research is supported by collective expertise in magnetic and optical spectroscopies, as well as thin-film fabrication and characterization, and future device engineering.
Light-driven
Light-driven
Molecular Spin Qubits
Molecular Spin Qubits
Our research focuses on engineering new molecular qubits and understand how to control their spin interactions. In doing so, we introduce a new ingredient to the field: light. By harnessing light-induced processes, we aim to unlock new functionalities - such as spin initialization at room temperature, on-demand control of magnetic interactions between qubits, and the photogeneration of multilevel qudit systems.
Chirality-Induced Spin Selectivity (CISS) effect
Chirality-Induced Spin Selectivity (CISS) effect
Our research aims to investigate CISS from a new perspective by directly probing spin-selective pathways in photoinduced electron transfer. In doing so, we focus on chiral donor–acceptor systems, including dyads and thin films, using spin-sensitive spectroscopies. This approach allows us to have a vantage point to elucidate how chirality influences spin and photophysical pathways at the molecular level.
Spin Processes
Spin Processes
in Organic Photovoltaics
in Organic Photovoltaics
Our research aims to investigate and control spin-dependent photophysical pathways in organic solar cells to ultimately advance their commercialization. We focus particularly on tracking the dynamics of spin species and suppressing charge recombination pathways that lead to triplet excitons - processes that contribute to voltage losses and limit the intrinsic photostability of even the best-performing OPV devices.
Previous research
Molecular doping and Spin Transport
During his postdoctoral work at Oxford, Alberto investigated molecular doping by studying the spin properties and dynamics of charge carriers in organic semiconductors. By combining thin-film energy-level engineering with EPR spectroscopy, he contributed to reveal the fundamental mechanisms underlying doping physics.
Spin Physics of Nanostructured Films
During his PhD in Padova, Alberto used light-induced EPR spectroscopies to study the photophysics and spin dynamics of different nanoparticles (NPs) blended in organic thin films for photovoltaic applications. This spin-focused approach allowed him to uncover the impact of ligand engineering on the electron transfer pathways of perovskite, CdSe and carbon NPs and to elucidate the spin photophysics of carbon NPs.
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