RESEARCH

Our group investigates the functional properties of advanced electronic, photonic and spintronic materials using scanning probe microscopy (SPM). We aim to understand and control the mechanical, electronic, ionic, and magnetic behaviors of materials at the nanoscale, with the aim of enabling novel device concepts for information processing, energy conversion, and quantum technologies.

We develop and apply high-resolution SPM techniques to visualize and manipulate local phenomena—such as phase transitions, domain dynamics, ionic transport, and interfaces—under external stimuli including mechanical force, electric and magnetic fields, light, and temperatures. Our work bridges fundamental physics and materials science by integrating imaging, spectroscopy, and operando analysis.

Elasticity & Phase Transitions

We investigate how mechanical strain and local stress can drive structural phase transitions in epitaxial oxide films. Using SPM-based force application, we demonstrate nanoscale control of ferroelastic domains and reveal the intrinsic mechanical softness associated with structural instability in highly strained films.

Mechanically induced phase transitions in strained oxides
Elastic softening near phase boundaries
Nanoscale ferroelastic domain imaging and control

Representative works: Advanced Materials (2014), ACS Nano (2017)

These studies provide fundamental insights into stress-driven phase control, enabling ferroic phase engineering for low-power nano-actuators and reconfigurable solid-state devices.

Electronic & Ionic Conductivity

We uncover nanoscale magnetization behavior in complex oxides by correlating local electronic and structural states with magnetic ordering. Our approach enables visualization of ferromagnetic and multiferroic domain evolution, revealing coupling between charge, spin, and lattice degrees of freedom.

Magneto-structural domain interactions
Field-dependent domain switching
Multiferroic domain mapping at the nanoscale

Representative works: Physical Review B (2019), Journal of Materials Chemistry C (2019)

These findings deepen our understanding of spin–lattice coupling and offer opportunities for spin-based memory and logic elements in oxide heterostructures.

Light-Induced Phenomena

We investigate how light interacts with ferroic and ionic orders in oxide materials. By combining SPM with optical excitation, we visualize light-driven polarization responses, charge dynamics, and ionic redistribution at the nanoscale.

Photo-control of ferroic order parameters
Light-enhanced ionic motion and piezoresponse
Optically tunable nanoscale conductivity

Representative works: Advanced Materials (2022), Advanced Electronic Materials (2022)

This work opens new routes for photo-responsive oxide electronics, bridging ferroelectricity, ionics, and optoelectronics for novel device functionalities.

Core Capability: Scanning Probe Microscopy

We utilize and develop SPM-based methods to probe and manipulate functional phenomena at nanometer resolution:

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM)
Conductive AFM (C-AFM)
Spectroscopic and bias-modulated SPM techniques

These tools allow direct visualization of strain, polarization, conductivity, magnetization, and ionic motion at the nanoscale, enabling a deep understanding of emergent material behaviors.

Research Collaborations

Our group actively collaborates with leading research teams worldwide to accelerate scientific discovery and develop next-generation functional materials and nano-devices. These partnerships span complex oxides, 2D materials, nanoscale imaging, ferroic systems, and ionic-electronic coupling phenomena.

International Collaborations

We maintain collaborative research activities with world-renowned groups across Europe, the United States, Australia, and Asia, including:

ETH Zurich
University of Warwick
UC Irvine
University of Washington
UNSW Sydney
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
Hefei National Laboratory & SUST, China
Kyoto University

These collaborations enable joint research projects, co-authored publications, and access to advanced characterization platforms and theoretical insights.

Domestic Research Network

Beyond our international network, we work closely with leading research groups across Korea to foster a strong domestic collaboration ecosystem.

Our collaborations include (but are not limited to) groups at:

KAIST
Seoul National University
Kyungpook National University
Jeonbuk National University
KIST and major national labs
Multiple laboratories within Inha University, across Physics, Materials Science, and Electrical Engineering

These partnerships support joint experiments, student exchange, co-supervision, and shared use of advanced facilities, enabling a collaborative environment for cutting-edge nanoscale materials research.

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