Overview

The interplay among electrons, phonons, photons, and impurities in materials plays a critical role in determining optical, electronic, magnetic, and thermoelectric properties. Our research focuses on developing approaches of tuning this interplay in order to achieve an integrated control over material properties. In particular, we are interested in materials with dimensions on the nanometer scale, where surface effects and quantum confinement of electrons and phonons can be exploited to provide the “tuning” capabilities. Our research encompasses controlled material synthesis and nanoscale property characterizations enabled by multi-functional scanning probe microscopy techniques.