Our research focuses on understanding and controlling emergent functionalities in complex oxide thin films, including electronic, quantum, and energy materials. By leveraging hybrid thin film epitaxy, characterization tools and machine learning-based materials design, we aim to uncover fundamental insights and design next-generation oxide thin films with tailored properties.
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Thrust 1. Advanced Epitaxial Thin Film Synthesis
Hybrid PLD-MBE combines the strengths of MBE and PLD and
expands the synthesis space of high-quality epitaxial thin films,
including volatile elements and complex chemistries.
References:
J. Kim et al. "Electronic-grade epitaxial (111) KTaO3 heterostructures" Science Advances 10, eadk4288 (2024). [Link]
Thrust 2. Advanced Thin Film Characterization
Various structural and electrical techniques are utilized
to study structure-property relationships in epitaxial thin films
of electronic, quantum, and energy materials.
References:
J. Kim et al. "Coupled polarization and nanodomain evolution underpins large electromechanical responses in relaxors" Nature Physics 18, 1502-1509 (2022). [Link]
J. Kim et al. "Frequency-dependent suppression of field-induced polarization rotation in relaxor ferroelectric thin films" Matter 4, 2367 (2021). [Link]
S. Pandya,..., J. Kim et al. "Pyroelectric energy conversion with large energy and power density in relaxor ferroelectric thin films" Nature Materials 17, 432-438 (2018). [Link]
M. Acharya,..., J. Kim et al. "Direct Measurement of Inverse Piezoelectric Effects in Thin Films Using Laser Doppler Vibrometry" Physical Review Applied 20, 014017 (2023). [Link]
Thrust 3. Thin Film Materials Science
New understanding of relaxors and ferroelectrics
Discovery of novel phenomena in quantum materials
Fundamental studies towards more perfect thin films
References:
J. Kim et al. "Size-driven phase evolution in ultrathin relaxor films" Nature Nanotechnology 20, 478-486 (2025). [Link] (Front cover for April 2025 issue)
J. Kim et al. "Coupled polarization and nanodomain evolution underpins large electromechanical responses in relaxors" Nature Physics 18, 1502-1509 (2022). [Link]
J. Kim et al. "Frequency-dependent suppression of field-induced polarization rotation in relaxor ferroelectric thin films" Matter 4, 2367 (2021). [Link]
H. Zheng,..., J. Kim et al. "Heterogeneous field response of hierarchical polar laminates in relaxor ferroelectrics" Science 384, 1447-1452 (2024). [Link]
Z. Tian,..., J. Kim et al. "Tunable Artificial Relaxor Behavior in [BaTiO3]m/[BaZrO3]n Superlattices" Physical Review Letters 130, 266801 (2023). [Link]
S. Saremi, J. Kim et al. "Defect-induced (dis)order in relaxor ferroelectric thin films" Physical Review Letters 123, 207602 (2019). [Link]
Thrust 4. Thin Film Materials Engineering
Dielectric energy storage materials with ultrahigh energy density
Ultrahigh piezoelectricity in lead-free piezoelectric thin films
Ultrapure high Tc superconductors for superconducting qubits
References:
J. Kim et al. "Ultrahigh capacitive energy density in ion-bombarded relaxor ferroelectric films" Science 369, 81-84 (2020). [Link]
J. Kim et al. "Coupled polarization and nanodomain evolution underpins large electromechanical responses in relaxors" Nature Physics 18, 1502-1509 (2022). [Link]
J. Kim et al. "Electronic-grade epitaxial (111) KTaO3 heterostructures" Science Advances 10, eadk4288 (2024). [Link]
W. Zhao, J. Kim et al. "Low-voltage magnetoelectric coupling in Fe0.5Rh0.5/0.68 PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3-0.32 PbTiO3 thin-film heterostructures" Advanced Functional Materials 31, 2105068 (2021). [Link]
S. Pandya,..., J. Kim et al. "Pyroelectric energy conversion with large energy and power density in relaxor ferroelectric thin films" Nature Materials 17, 432-438 (2018). [Link]
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