Condensed matter is inexhaustible source of numerous novel phenomena which are scientifically interesting and practically useful. Condensed matter physics explore physical properties of condensed matter and advances our understanding of the world we experience. An extensive set of topics is investigated in Condensed Matter Physics Group of Department of Physics. The topics include neuromorphic devices/materials, energy-harvesting materials, hydrogen-storage materials, semiconductors, high-pressure physics, plasma physics, strongly correlated materials, topological materials, to name a few. In this Group, we address questions in condensed matter physics and materials science by using material growth, nanofabrication, low-temperature electrical, magnetic, and spectroscopy measurements, density-functional theory.

Materials Physics for Neuromorphic, Energy-Harvesting, Solar Cell Devices

One of the major focuses of our research is material sciences/semiconductor physics. Semiconductor physics represents one of the best examples of practical applicability of fundamental physics. Indeed innumerous semiconductor devices are playing vital role for people all over the world. We employ a number of sample growth and characterization techniques to develop semiconductor materials/structures. We fabricate various semiconductor heterostructures/nanostructures and explore novel functionalities for neuromorphic devices for AI, energy-harvesting devices, solar cells, and various types of memory devices.

High Pressure Physics / Hydrogen Storage Materials

Pressure is an emerging knob for tuning physical properties of condensed matter. Under extremely high pressure, it is expected that materials will show exotic phenomena. Understanding the exotic phenomena at high pressure will lead to developments of novel material state or devices. We are conducting extensive researches on novel high-pressure phase of condensed matter in collaboration with Center for High Pressure Science and Technology for Advanced Study in China and Carnegie Institute for Science in USA.

As an alternative source of energy, hydrogen is attracting a lot of attention. For successful use of hydrogen as an energy source, it is highly desired to find appropriate materials in which hydrogen can be stored. Quasicrystals are prominent candidate. Using high-pressure technique, we are trying to develop metastable hydrogen-rich extended solids

Physics of Quantum Materials

Another research focus is the study of novel quantum phenomena in condensed matter. The complex interplay among the basic degrees of freedom of condensed matter, charge, spin, orbitals, and lattice, leads to emerging phenomena, such as superconductivity, quantum phase transition, metal-insulator transition, spin/charge density waves, excitations in low-dimensional materials, and plasma excitations. We study the electromagnetic properties of the quantum matters in ambient and extreme conditions to find fundamental mechanisms of the emerging phenomena.