Research
We are interested in quantum materials. Most of the materials we study have two-dimensional nature, they are often referred to as 2D materials and currently, there are hundreds of 2D materials with properties that cover the whole spectrum of condensed matter physics. Materials by themselves are of great interest, but even more interesting are combinations of two or more materials. We are also very interested in pushing materials to extreme limits, for example, putting a large amount of charge inside materials we are looking at to dramatically change their properties. Below are highlights of what materials systems and physics we are interested in.
Two-dimensional materials
Most of the materials we study have two-dimensional nature. A good example is a family of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), we wrote a review article about these materials that can be accessed here. Depending on the crystal phase (see image on the left, top) and atoms chosen these materials could have a variety of different properties, from direct-gap semiconductors to superconductors and topological insulators. Some of our works on TMDs are listed below:
van der waals topological magnets
When topological insulators are combined with magnetic materials in a single sample or heterostructure, Chern insulator states can form, which originate from non-trivial band topology. One recent example of such material is MnBi2Te4. We contributed to the understanding of MnBi2Te4 in atomically thin limit by looking at topological phase transitions, different Chern insulator states, and surface symmetry. We also developed topological circuits based on Chiral edge states.
2D magnets
Magnetism in truly 2D limit was discovered in 2017 by the isolation of monolayers of magnetic materials. Currently, a rich variety of 2D magnetic materials is available. We studied magnetism in such materials as MnBi2Te4 and Fe5GeTe2.
Devices based on quantum materials
Quantum materials offer exciting venues for novel electronic and optoelectronic devices. We are interested in how semiconductors, magnetic materials, and topological materials could be integrated into energy-efficient light-emitting diodes, transistors, tunnel junctions, and topological circuits. See some of our previous results below: