Research

We are advancing electron microscopy and spectroscopy techniques with unprecedented spatial and momentum resolution to directly visualize atomic dopants, phase transformations, charge densities, and electron-hole pairs bound by electrostatic interactions called excitons. We specialize in the use of in-situ tools such as light injection and electrical biasing that allow us to go beyond conventional electron spectroscopy limits, unlocking new opportunities in quantum computing, sensing, and material design.

Thin film ferroelectrics are materials that have spontaneous electrical polarization. Atom by atom growth of these materials can result in strain-engineered structural and real-space topological phases that our team has been able to visualize using the state-of-the-art electron microscopy and spectroscopy tools. Our team is now developing a breakthrough metrology to directly image phonons/atomic vibrations and measure their group velocities with angstrom-to-nanoscale spatial resolution. We aim to uncover the fundamental lattice mechanisms behind ferroelectricity. This work opens new frontiers in designing low-power memory, computing, and quantum devices by harnessing the hidden role of vibrations in functional materials.

Our team with internal collaboration at ASU, is studying materials behavior under extreme pressure (>5 GPa). We look at the materials grown via the high-pressure diamond anvil press and understand the structural transformations and topological properties via electron microscopy and spectroscopy. Such studies will enable atomistic fundamental insights on the high presssure, especially the formation of defects both at the surface level and bulk.