Research Overview:
The research activities in our group focus on topological phenomena in correlated quantum materials. The current research interests include: topological insulators and related materials, quantum anomalous Hall effect, topological Hall effect, magnetoelectric coupling in multiferroics (where magnetism and ferroelectricity coexist) and magnetoelectrics, strain-induced magnetism and multiferroicity, etc. We endeavor to develop new experimental techniques (e.g. MeFM) and tools to explore emergent phenomena in novel materials at nanometer/atomic scale. The unique instrumentation in our SPM lab allows us to carry out cutting-edge research at the forefront of material science, especially in novel magnetic materials We use low temperature-scanning probe microscopy (LT-SPM), such as magnetic force microscopy (MFM), magnetoelectric force microscopy (MeFM) and scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) to investigate these nanoscale phenomena, and how they evolve as experimental parameters (temperature, magnetic field, stress and etc.) vary. Interested graduate students and postdoc candidates are encouraged to contact me.