Wei-Chi Chiu, Ph.D.

Condensed Matter Physicist | Researcher

Wei-Chi Chiu, I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Physics Department at Northeastern University, working with Prof. Arun Bansil. My research focuses on quantum materials, particularly topological materials, strongly correlated systems, and their applications. My research interests span a broad range of topics in condensed matter physics, including: Topological Materials Strongly Correlated Systems 2D Materials Topological Batteries Coherent Secondary Photoemission Josephson Junctions A key highlight of my research is the introduction of causal structure concepts into condensed matter physics, which extends the understanding of cause-and-effect relationships beyond spacetime to energy-momentum space. This work, published in Nature Communications, provides new insights into topological phase transitions in interacting Weyl systems, helping to bridge the gap between condensed matter and quantum information science. Another significant contribution, published in Nature, is the discovery of anomalous coherent secondary photoemission in SrTiO₃. This work revealed unexpected photoemission properties, including discrete spectra with negative electron affinity and unprecedented electron beam coherence, challenging conventional theories and opening new possibilities for high-efficiency photocathodes in quantum technologies. In recognition of my academic excellence and contributions to research, I was honored as part of the prestigious Huntington 100 (2023), a distinction recognizing Northeastern’s most accomplished and innovative students for their leadership and impact in their respective fields. 📧 Contact: chiu.w@northeastern.edu

Wei-Chi Chiu, Ph.D.

Associate Research Scientist

Department of Physics & Quantum Materials and Sensing Institute, Northeastern University

I am an associate research scientist in the Department of Physics and the Quantum Materials and Sensing Institute at Northeastern University. My research uses first-principles and many-body methods to understand how emergent order, topology, and correlations organize quantum materials—and how those principles translate into measurable spectroscopic and transport signatures.

My research interests span a broad range of topics in condensed matter physics, including

Topological & Magnetic Quantum Materials
Causal Structure in Condensed Matter
Charge-Density Waves & Structural Chirality
Photoemission & Spectroscopy Modeling
Superconducting Quantum Transport
Quantum Materials for Energy Storage
Machine Learning & Quantum Materials (emerging direction)

A key highlight of my research is the introduction of causal structure concepts into condensed matter physics, which extends the understanding of cause-and-effect relationships beyond spacetime to energy-momentum space. This work, which I led as first author (Nature Communications, 2023), provides new insights into topological phase transitions in interacting Weyl systems, helping to bridge the gap between condensed matter and high-energy physics. This framework is now being tested experimentally, with a manuscript in preparation.

I also provided the theoretical account of anomalous coherent secondary photoemission in SrTiO₃, reported in Nature (2023). This work revealed unexpected photoemission properties, including discrete spectra with negative electron affinity and unprecedented electron beam coherence, challenging conventional theories and opening new possibilities for high-efficiency photocathodes in quantum technologies.

I was named to the Huntington 100 (2023), Northeastern's recognition of its most accomplished and innovative students.

More recently, I showed that strain drives monolayer NbSe₂ into charge-density-wave phases hosting emergent topological states (ACS Nano, 2025, corresponding author), and established how interlayer charge-density-wave phases generate structural chirality in layered materials (Physical Review Letters, 2026, co-first author). I also co-authored an invited review on Green's-function methods for computing supercurrents in Josephson junctions (Reports on Progress in Physics, 2026).

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