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About
We are an experimental condensed matter physics research group, in the Department of Physics, Applied Physics and Astronomy, at Binghamton University, State University of New York. We study quantum materials with layered structures. Our group started in August 2022. We have openings for students and postdocs. Please get in touch with us if you are interested in the group.
Research Background
The interplay among charge, orbital, lattice, and spin degrees of freedom frequently results in a plethora of rich emergent phenomena within quantum materials, positioning them at the heart of condensed matter physics. These materials are crucial for the development of advanced applications in electronics, energy storage, and information processing technologies, highlighting the importance of exploring exotic quantum states of matter. Quantum materials' sensitivity to microscopic parameters opens the door to manipulating quantum states through various innovative approaches. One particularly effective strategy is the reduction of dimensionality paired with the strategic engineering of heterostructures in layered crystals. This method has gained momentum with the advent of two-dimensional (2D) materials derived from van der Waals crystals. It has become increasingly evident that materials with just a few layers often exhibit distinct properties compared to their bulk equivalents. These differences are primarily due to quantum confinement and reduced symmetry, showcasing the potential for novel functionalities and applications in the realm of quantum physics and material science.
Research Interest
Our research goal is to investigate quantum materials at the two-dimensional (2D) limit. In particular, we are interested in understanding how quantum confinement leads to emerging phenomena not originally present in the three-dimensional (3D) bulk crystals. To this end, we integrate solid-state synthesis and nanofabrication to create novel 2D materials and their heterostructures. We also perform multimodal measurements that combine optical, transport, and spectroscopy techniques to investigate their electronic, magnetic, and topological properties. Our ultimate goal is to understand and control the unconventional quantum phases emerging from dimensional reduction and heterointerfaces, to harness their exotic properties for the next-generation information and quantum technologies.
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Research Impact
Technologies grounded in quantum materials and low-dimensional semiconductors are at the leading edge of priorities for governments, the private sector, and academia. The exploration of nanoscale quantum materials now captures major international attention, leading to the creation of a variety of solid-state platforms with the potential for profound technological transformations. Research into two-dimensional (2D) quantum materials is deepening our fundamental understanding of many-body quantum phase diagrams, essential for pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge. The capacity to control charge and spin within low-dimensional structures plays a crucial role in the ongoing development of energy-efficient electronics and spintronics. This focus on manipulating quantum properties opens new avenues for significant advancements in device technology, paving the way for a future where quantum mechanics drive substantial technological progress.
News
06/2025 New publication in Nature Materials! Y.-X. Wang, T. K. M. Graham, R. Rama-Eiroa, M. A. Islam, M. H. Badarneh, R. Nunes Gontijo, G. P. Tiwari, T. Adhikari, X.-Y. Zhang, K. Watanabe, T. Taniguchi, C. Besson, E. J. G. Santos, Z. Lin, and B. B. Zhou, Configurable antiferromagnetic domains and lateral exchange bias in atomically thin CrPS4, Nature Materials (2025). Link News & Views News
05/2025 Our graduate students, Ganesh Tiwari and Tibendra Adhikari, have become members of Sigma Pi Sigma National Physics and Astronomy Honor Society. Congratulations, Ganesh and Tibendra!
05/2025 Our undergraduate student, Jeff Lam, has received the Brownridge Award for outstanding research. Congratulations, Jeff!
01/2025 Our undergraduate student, Sophia Sabelja, has been admitted to a graduate program at the University of Tennessee. She will be conducting research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Congratulations, Sophia!
01/2025 Our undergraduate student, Jeff Lam, has been awarded a prestigious $10,000 SCALE fellowship to support his project within our group. This fellowship provides funding for his salary, as well as for research-related expenses, including equipment, materials, and supplies. Congratulations, Jeff!
12/2023 Rafael Nunes Gontijo joined the group. Welcome, Rafael!
12/2023 Jeff Lam joined the group. Welcome, Jeff!
10/2023 Zhong Lin co-organized the "low-dimensional magnetic quantum materials" symposium for the 2024 Materials Research Society Spring meeting.
09/2023 Tibendra Adhikari joined the group. Welcome, Tibendra!
09/2023 Ganesh Tiwari joined the group. Welcome, Ganesh!
05/2023 Paul DePola received the Brownridge's Award for Outstanding Research! Congratulations!
01/2023 Gabriel Blodgett joined the group. Welcome, Gabriel!
01/2023 Adam Islam joined the group. Welcome, Adam!
12/2022 Zhong Lin joined Materials Science and Engineering as an associated faculty.
12/2022 Zhong Lin's group received a grant from the Small Scale Systems Integration and Packaging (S3IP) Center of Excellence, funded by New York Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology and Innovation.
09/2022 Sophia Sabelja joined the group. Welcome, Sophia!
08/2022 Clayton Greene joined the group. Welcome, Clayton!
08/2022 Aya Labnine joined the group. Welcome, Aya!
08/2022 Paul DePola joined the group. Welcome, Paul!
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