Research Focus
We specialize in optical characterization of 2D materials and isolated quantum emitters. Our core research themes include:
- Quantum Emitters: We study single-photon sources such as colloidal quantum dots and color centers in diamond, which are essential for quantum communication and sensing.
- 2D Excitons: We explore exciton physics in transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers, uncovering their unique optical and valleytronic properties.
- Strain Engineering in 2D Materials: Using a custom-built straining cell, we investigate how mechanical deformation affects the optical and electronic properties of 2D semiconductors. This includes studying strain-induced modulation of exciton energies, emergence of localized quantum emitters, and valley-dependent optical phenomena. Strain tuning offers a powerful, reversible means to manipulate band structure, enabling new functionalities in straintronic quantum devices.
- Hybrid Light-Matter States: We investigate plasmons, polaritons, and strong coupling regimes, aiming to harness collective excitations and hybrid modes for novel photonic applications.
State-of-the-Art Instrumentation
Our PL lab is equipped with advanced tools designed for both precision measurements and material discovery:
- Zeiss Optical Microscope Platform
- Used for visual identification and localization of exfoliated 2D layers on stamps.
- Enables both conventional bright-field imaging and dark-field microscopy for enhanced contrast and edge detection.
- Custom-Built Confocal Scanning Microscope:
- Designed for spatially resolved photoluminescence, including lifetime measurements and photon correlation experiments on individual emitters.
- Capable of probing valley polarization and coherence in monolayer TMDs and their van der Waals heterostructures.
- Straining Cell for 2D Materials:
- Integrated with our optical setup, this device enables precise mechanical deformation of monolayer and few-layer 2D materials.
- It is designed to dynamically tune strain profiles, allowing us to study strain-induced modifications of excitonic properties, localized emission, and band structure engineering.
- This tool opens unique opportunities for straintronics and the exploration of strain-driven quantum phenomena in atomically thin materials.
- 2D Material Transfer Station:
- A precision-controlled dry transfer setup for assembling custom heterostructures from 2D materials, such as TMD monolayers, graphene, and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN).
- Enables the fabrication of clean, high-quality interfaces with deterministic stacking and angular control, critical for building van der Waals heterostructures with tailored optical and electronic properties.
- The system is designed for operation in both manual and automated modes, allowing flexibility between exploratory stacking and reproducible fabrication.
- Additionally, it is compatible with glovebox integration, enabling oxygen- and moisture-free environments during the transfer process—essential for handling air-sensitive 2D materials such as black phosphorus or metallic TMDs.
- Tunable Laser Excitation:
- A suite of continuous-wave and pulsed lasers covering excitation wavelengths from 405 nm to 780 nm, allowing for flexible excitation across different materials and optical transitions.
Why It Matters
The Photoluminescence Laboratory is at the forefront of exploring quantum materials and light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. The systems we study—such as single-photon emitters, 2D semiconductors, and van der Waals heterostructures—form the foundation for future technologies in quantum communication, optical computing, and nanoscale sensing.
Through a combination of advanced optical techniques and custom-designed instrumentation, we are able to precisely investigate and engineer the optical properties of materials. Our tools allow us to control strain, layer stacking, and excitation conditions, revealing new phenomena such as valley-selective responses, quantum emission, and strain-tunable excitonic behavior.
This research not only advances fundamental understanding of how quantum materials interact with light but also contributes directly to the development of next-generation photonic and quantum technologies. For students and early-career researchers, the lab provides a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge science at the intersection of nanotechnology, quantum optics, and material engineering.