State Key Laboratory of Optical Quantum Materials
Research Overview
Bringing together metamaterials, nanophotonics and quantum materials to explore light–matter interactions.
We investigate how optical fields couple to electrons, excitons and other quantum degrees of freedom. Combining theory, materials growth, micro- and nanofabrication, and optical and electrical measurements, we explore new quantum phenomena and controllable platforms that provide physical and material foundations for future information processing, communication and sensing.
Interconnected Research Platforms
Engineered Photonic Structures
Metamaterials, metasurfaces, photonic crystals and micro- and nanocavities
Low-dimensional Quantum Materials
Two-dimensional materials, van der Waals heterostructures and moiré superlattices
Fundamental Physics
Topology, strong correlations, excitons and quantum many-body phenomena; controllable platforms including cold atoms
Materials and Devices
Materials growth and intercalation, optical–electronic information conversion, and integration of photonic and quantum devices using multiple materials
Major Research Directions
Our four complementary research directions connect photonic structures, light–matter interactions and quantum states with materials growth and integration.
Photonics, Metamaterials and Topology
Engineering photonic structures to control light propagation, confinement and polarisation, explore topological and non-Hermitian optics, and develop integrated platforms using multiple materials.
Light–Matter Interaction and Quantum Control
Investigating how electrons, excitons and free electrons couple to light, and using cavities, vacuum fields and ultrafast pulses to probe and control quantum states.
Quantum Systems and Emerging Quantum Degrees of Freedom
Exploring how valley, layer and orbital degrees of freedom relate to topology, correlations and many-body states, using controllable platforms including cold atoms.
Advanced Materials Growth and Integration
Developing controlled synthesis of low-dimensional materials, tuning properties through molecular intercalation and interface engineering, and exploring large-area materials and device integration.
Detailed Research Areas
01 Photonics, Metamaterials and Topology
Research Focus
This area combines metamaterials, metasurfaces and nanophotonics to investigate how engineered micro- and nanostructures shape optical fields and electromagnetic responses. Research spans subwavelength optical control, optical-loss compensation, topological phenomena in photonic crystals, and three-dimensional and heterogeneous integration. These studies connect fundamental optical physics with light sources, imaging, detection and on-chip optical devices.
Research Topics
Metamaterials, Metasurfaces and Optical-field Control
We design micro- and nanostructures to control amplitude, phase, polarisation and nonlinear responses, investigating superlenses, reconfigurable meta-devices, quantum light sources and imaging assisted by deep learning.
Topological Photonics and Non-Hermitian Systems
Photonic crystals, coupled waveguide arrays and synthetic gauge fields provide platforms for exploring topological states, topological singularities and multiphoton interference, including the roles of gain, loss and symmetry.
Three-dimensional and Heterogeneous Photonic Integration
We combine silicon, silicon nitride, III–V semiconductors and electro-optic materials to investigate the integration of lasers, modulators, waveguides and interlayer couplers.
Multifunctional Photonic Devices and Intelligent Sensing
We develop photonic devices for optical communication, precision sensing, multispectral detection and environmental monitoring, using computational models and artificial intelligence to optimise devices and systems.
Potential Applications and Outlook
Research addresses integrated light sources, optical interconnects, precision sensing, computational imaging and multispectral environmental monitoring, exploring routes from structural design to functional devices and integrated systems.
This area connects with Light–Matter Interaction and Quantum Control through research on local optical fields and coupling mechanisms. Materials growth and integration support the development of devices.
Explore the Related AreaRelated Researchers
Researchers are listed by research topic; some contribute to more than one area.
Selected Publications
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Overcoming losses in superlenses with synthetic waves of complex frequency
Science 381, 766–771 (2023)
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Nature Materials 22, 1203–1209 (2023)
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Intelligent metasurfaces: digitalized, programmable, and intelligent platforms
Light: Science & Applications 11, 242 (2022)
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Non-Hermitian swallowtail catastrophe revealing transitions among diverse topological singularities
Nature Physics 19, 1098–1103 (2023)
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3D integration enables ultralow-noise isolator-free lasers in silicon photonics
Nature 620, 78–85 (2023)
02 Light–Matter Interaction and Quantum Control
Research Focus
This area investigates how optical fields interact with electrons and excitations in low-dimensional quantum materials, and explores new mechanisms for quantum control. Research focuses on strong exciton–photon coupling, ultrastrong coupling between charge carriers and cavity vacuum fields, optical responses in moiré systems, electronic dynamics from femtosecond to attosecond timescales, and free-electron–photon interactions.
Research Topics
Strong Coupling, Ultrastrong Coupling and Cavity Vacuum Fields
Micro- and nanocavities and metamaterials provide control over optical confinement and coupling. We explore how vacuum fluctuations affect energy levels, transport and correlated states in low-dimensional electronic systems, alongside cavity-mediated interactions.
Excitons, Polaritons and Moiré Optics
We study hybrid exciton–photon states in conjunction with twisted heterostructures and moiré superlattices, exploring optical probes and control of excitonic quantum states, valley coherence, transport and many-body effects.
Ultrafast and Attosecond Dynamics
Femtosecond and attosecond optical methods, high-harmonic spectroscopy and time-resolved spectroscopy reveal transient electronic and quantum-state dynamics. These approaches enable studies of optical control over material dynamics and topological properties.
Free-electron–Photon Interactions
We investigate the coupling of free electrons to photonic structures, two-dimensional materials and cavity fields, exploring resonance-enhanced electron radiation, on-chip photon generation and routes to nonclassical light.
Potential Applications and Outlook
This research provides foundations for quantum light sources, sensitive optoelectronic detection, quantum-state readout and control, and new approaches to optical–electronic information conversion. Device applications are explored in relation to coupling strength, coherence and integration requirements.
This area shares moiré and correlated quantum platforms with Quantum Systems and Emerging Quantum Degrees of Freedom, with a focus on how light probes and controls these systems.
Explore the Related AreaRelated Researchers
Researchers are listed by research topic; some contribute to more than one area.
Selected Publications
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Photonic flatband resonances for free-electron radiation
Nature 613, 42–47 (2023)
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Compensating losses in polariton propagation with synthesized complex frequency excitation
Nature Materials 23, 506–511 (2024)
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Nature Materials 23, 224–229 (2024)
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Dipole ladders with large Hubbard interaction in a moiré exciton lattice
Nature Physics 19, 1286–1292 (2023)
03 Quantum Systems and Emerging Quantum Degrees of Freedom
Research Focus
This area explores how different quantum degrees of freedom and their interactions produce new states of matter and responses. Research combines condensed matter theory, experiments on low-dimensional materials and cold-atom platforms. Topics include valley and layer degrees of freedom, moiré superlattices, topological states, superconductivity, nonreciprocal transport and many-body behaviour in controllable quantum systems.
Research Topics
Valley and Layer Degrees of Freedom in Moiré Superlattices
Stacking, twist angle and external fields tune valley- and layer-dependent properties in two-dimensional materials, enabling studies of moiré excitons, correlated magnetic states, transport and many-body effects.
Topological and Strongly Correlated Quantum States
We investigate topological semimetals, quantum Hall systems, excitonic insulators and correlated states through electromagnetic transport and nonlinear optical responses, including the effects of symmetry and disorder.
Superconductivity, Nonreciprocal Transport and Interface Control
We explore nonreciprocal responses in low-dimensional superconductors and van der Waals superlattices, studying how molecular intercalation, interfaces and external fields modify states of matter and device behaviour.
Cold Atoms and Controllable Quantum Many-body Systems
We develop cooling, trapping, imaging and control methods for atoms, molecules and hybrid ion–atom systems. Theory and numerical computation complement these platforms in studies of strong correlations, quantum dynamics and quantum simulation.
Potential Applications and Outlook
Controllable platforms for complex quantum matter provide physical foundations for quantum simulation, quantum information, quantum sensing and new nonreciprocal devices.
This area shares concepts of topology and symmetry with Photonics, Metamaterials and Topology, with a focus on states of matter and degrees of freedom in quantum materials and many-body systems.
Explore the Related AreaRelated Researchers
Researchers are listed by research topic; some contribute to more than one area.
Selected Publications
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Programming correlated magnetic states with gate-controlled moiré geometry
Science 381, 325–330 (2023)
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Nature Materials 23, 224–229 (2024)
04 Advanced Materials Growth and Integration
Research Focus
This area investigates relationships between materials growth, structure and physical properties to establish platforms for quantum and photonic research. Molecular beam epitaxy, functional molecular intercalation and heterostructure engineering enable studies of composition, crystallinity, defects and interfaces. Research also examines the processing conditions needed to extend materials preparation from individual samples to larger areas and integrated devices.
Research Topics
Molecular Beam Epitaxy and Single-crystal Growth
We investigate epitaxial growth of transition-metal dichalcogenides and other low-dimensional materials, optimising substrates, temperatures and growth conditions for single-crystalline films, heterostructures and large-area preparation.
Functional Molecular Intercalation and Hybrid Superlattices
Chemical and electrochemical intercalation and molecular layer deposition enable the incorporation of magnetic, ferroelectric and chiral molecules. We investigate relationships between molecular structure and interfacial properties.
Heterostructures, Interfaces and In Situ Characterisation
Structural, morphological and spectroscopic measurements reveal intercalation uniformity, defects and interface evolution, connecting processing conditions and microscopic structure with physical properties.
Large-area Processing and Device Integration
We explore materials transfer, thin-film deposition and patterning, examining device contacts and the effects of integration processes while developing research platforms for multifunctional devices and superconducting diodes.
Potential Applications and Outlook
High-quality materials support optoelectronic devices, quantum transport and the other research directions. Research explores materials and processing foundations for quantum interconnects, sensing and nonreciprocal devices, with large-area preparation and integration as continuing priorities.
This area provides materials foundations for the other three directions and connects with Quantum Systems and Emerging Quantum Degrees of Freedom through studies of new states enabled by molecular intercalation and interface control.
Explore the Related AreaRelated Researchers
Researchers are listed by research topic; some contribute to more than one area.
Selected Publications
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Oriented lateral growth of two-dimensional materials on c-plane sapphire
Nature Nanotechnology 18, 1289–1294 (2023)
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Nature Nanotechnology 18, 448–455 (2023)
Research Capabilities Across Areas
The research areas draw on members’ laboratory platforms and accessible shared facilities, connecting materials, structures, physical properties and devices.
Materials Growth and Interfaces
Molecular beam epitaxy, low-dimensional materials synthesis, functional molecular intercalation and heterostructure assembly connect materials preparation with quantum properties.
Micro- and Nanofabrication
Photonic structure design, electron-beam lithography, and micro- and nanofabrication support local optical-field control and integrated-device research.
Optical and Electrical Characterisation
Ultrafast spectroscopy, photoluminescence, low-temperature transport in strong magnetic fields, and microscopy probe the structure, response and dynamics of materials and devices.
Theory, Computation and Quantum Simulation
Electromagnetic and quantum theory, numerical computation and controllable quantum platforms help explain experimental observations and guide new research approaches.