Laboratory of Quantum Crystals & Interfaces
Welcome
We are an experimental condensed matter physics research group at the University of Tennessee. Our research goal is to develop and investigate novel quantum crystals and interfaces that propel the fundamental understanding on emergent quantum phenomena and deliver innovative concepts/routes for quantum technologies. A major focus of our work is correlated electronic materials, such as complex oxides, where the quantum degrees of freedom of electrons give rise to a variety of collective electric and magnetic phenomena that elude conventional predictions as well as afford unparalleled functionalities. Examples include metal-insulator transition, quantum magnetism, unconventional superconductivity, topological phases, colossal magnetoresistance, orbital ordering, multiferroics, etc. In particular, to capture the underlying physics, we employ a top-down design and bottom-up synthesis approach that exploits interface engineering and atomic layering deposition to create artificial toy-model quantum crystals. Our measurement toolbox includes a suite of low-temperature electronic and magnetic characterizations as well as advanced techniques at national facilities, such as synchrotrons, neutron sources, and high-field labs. We also develop new measurement platforms with multi-modal capabilities.
Join us !
Q: What is interesting about experimental CMP research?
A: Quantum condensed matters are like complex numbers. It has a real part and an imaginary part. And experiment combines them like the beautiful exponential function. We welcome highly motivated students, both graduate and undergraduate, and postdoctoral researchers to join our adventure. If you are interested, please contact me at jianliu@utk.edu.
NEWS
2023-12-14, our new paper "Extraordinary magnetic response of an anisotropic 2D antiferromagnet via site-dilution" is now published on Nano Letters.
2023-11-09, our new paper "Extraordinary magnetic response of an anisotropic 2D antiferromagnet via site-dilution" is accepted by Nano Letters.
2023-10-16, Prof. Jian Liu gave an invited talk at the 80th Anniversary of the Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference.
2023-05-26, our review article "Correlated Quantum Phenomena of Spin-Orbit Coupled Perovskite Oxide Heterostructures: Cases of SrRuO3 and SrIrO3" is now published on Advanced Functional Materials.
2023-05-11, our review article "Correlated Quantum Phenomena of Spin-Orbit Coupled Perovskite Oxide Heterostructures: Cases of SrRuO3 and SrIrO3" is accepted by Advanced Functional Materials.
2023-05-08, Lucas McBee received the James W. McConnell Award for Academic Excellence, and Chengkun Xing received the Fowler-Marion Outstanding Graduate Student Award from the Physics department. Congratulations!
2023-05-04, Lucas McBee received the 2023 EUReCA Award from the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. Congratulations!
2023-03-22, our paper "Anomalous magnetoresistance by breaking ice rule in Bi2Ir2O7/Dy2Ti2O7 heterostructure" is selected as a featured article by the Nature Communications editor.
2023-03-14, our new paper "Anomalous magnetoresistance by breaking ice rule in Bi2Ir2O7/Dy2Ti2O7 heterostructure" is now published by Nature Communications.
2023-03-09, Dr. Dongliang Gong and Shashi Pandey gave contributed talks, and Prof. Jian Liu gave an invited talk at the APS March Meeting.
2023-02-21, our new paper led by former postdoc Han Zhang, PhD student Chengkun Xing, and former undergrad Kyle Noordhoek is accepted by Nature Communications. Congratulations to all!
2023-01-18, Prof. Jian Liu gave an invited talk at the Electronic Materials and Applications 2023 Conference.
2022
2022-12-21, our recent papers are highlighted by the Department of Physics & Astronomy (link).
2022-11-03, our new review paper "Emergent quantum phenomena in atomically engineered iridate heterostructures" is now published by Fundamental Research.
2022-10-26, our new paper "Reconciling of monolayer and bilayer Jeff =1/2 square lattices in hybrid oxide superlattice" is now published by Physical Review Letters.
2022-09-26, our new paper "Reconciling of monolayer and bilayer Jeff =1/2 square lattices in hybrid oxide superlattice" is accepted by Physical Review Letters.
2022-09-07, we have successfully installed a new 14T Dynacool from Quantum Design and a number of upgrades to the MPMS-VSM, including a He3 option. The new system and options will be available to the EMP lab users soon.
2022-08-30, Lucas McBee received the Faculty Research Assistants Funding Award from the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. Congratulations!
2022-07-27, Prof. Jian Liu gave an invited talk at the International Conference on Strongly Correlated Electron Systems 2022.
2022-07-22, our new paper "Quasi-2D anomalous Hall Mott insulator of topologically engineered Jeff =1/2 electrons" is now published by Physical Review X.
2022-07-07, our new paper "Controllable spatial spin modulation in Sr2IrO4 by in situ shear strain" is now published by Physical Review Letters.
2022-07-06, Prof. Jian Liu gave an invited talk during the TSST webinar "PLD thin films; Advanced characterisation in lab and beyond".
2022-06-02, our new paper "Quasi-2D anomalous Hall Mott insulator of topologically engineered Jeff =1/2 electrons" is accepted by Physical Review X.
2022-05-17, our new paper "Controllable spatial spin modulation in Sr2IrO4 by in situ shear strain " is accepted by Physical Review Letters.
2022-04-13, Junyi Yang successfully defended his Ph.D. thesis. Congratulations!
2022-03-14, Dr. Dongliang Gong, Shashi Pandey, and Chengkun Xing gave contributed talks, and Junyi Yang gave an invited talk at the APS March Meeting.
2022-03-07, Chengkun Xing passed the comprehensive exam for his Ph.D. candidacy. Congratulations!
2022-03-04, Junyi Yang gave an invited seminar at the Argonne National Lab.
2022-02-17, our new paper "Antiferromagnetic Excitonic Insulator State in Sr3Ir2O7" is now published by Nature Communications. (Press release)
2022-01-21, Shashi Pandey was awarded the Center for Materials Processing Graduate Student Support Scholarship.
2022-01-20, Prof. Jian Liu gave an invited talk at the Electronic Materials and Applications 2022 Conference.
2022-01-10, our new paper "Antiferromagnetic Excitonic Insulator State in Sr3Ir2O7" is accepted by Nature Communications.
