Publications
Strongly correlated excitonic insulator in atomic double layers
Excitonic insulators (EIs) arise from the formation of bound electron–hole pairs (excitons)1,2 in semiconductors and provide a solid-state platform for quantum many-boson physics3–8. Strong exciton–exciton repulsion is expected to stabilize condensed superfluid and crystalline phases by suppressing both density and phase fluctuations8–11. Although spectroscopic signatures of EIs have been reported6,12–14, conclusive evidence for strongly correlated EI states has remained elusive.
Air-Stable and Layer-Dependent Ferromagnetism in Atomically Thin van der Waals CrPS4
Ferromagnetism in two-dimensional materials presents a promising platform for the development of ultrathin spintronic devices with advanced functionalities. Recently discovered ferromagnetic van der Waals crystals such as CrI3, readily isolated two-dimensional crystals, are highly tunable through external fields or structural modifications. However, there remains a challenge because of material instability under air exposure. Here, we report the observation of an air-stable and layer-dependent ferromagnetic (FM) van der Waals crystal, CrPS4, using magneto-optic Kerr effect microscopy.
Transport in the two-dimensional Fermi-Hubbard model: Lessons from weak coupling
We use quantum kinetic theory to calculate the thermoelectric transport properties of the two-dimensional single-band Fermi-Hubbard model in the weak coupling limit. For generic filling, we find that the high-temperature limiting behaviors of the electrical (∼T) and thermal (∼T2) resistivities persist down to temperatures of order the hopping matrix element T∼t, almost an order of magnitude below the bandwidth. At half filling, perfect nesting leads to anomalous low-temperature scattering and nearly T-linear electrical resistivity at all temperatures.
Scattering interference signature of a pair density wave state in the cuprate pseudogap phase
An unidentified quantum fluid designated the pseudogap (PG) phase is produced by electron-density depletion in the CuO2 antiferromagnetic insulator. Current theories suggest that the PG phase may be a pair density wave (PDW) state characterized by a spatially modulating density of electron pairs. Such a state should exhibit a periodically modulating energy gap Δ P(r) in real-space, and a characteristic quasiparticle scattering interference (QPI) signature Λ P(q) in wavevector space.
Testing for the continuous spectrum of x rays predicted to accompany the photoejection of an atomic inner-shell electron
Echoing classical physics, quantum electrodynamics predicts the release of a spectral continuum of electromagnetic radiation upon the sudden acceleration of charged particles in quantum matter. Despite apparent theoretical success in describing sister nuclear processes, known as internal bremsstrahlung, following nuclear beta decay and capture, the situation of the photoejection of an electron from an inner shell of an atom, intra-atomic bremsstrahlung (IAB), is far from settled.
Cartilage articulation exacerbates chondrocyte damage and death after impact injury
Posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is typically initiated by momentary supraphysiologic shear and compressive forces delivered to articular cartilage during acute joint injury and develops through subsequent degradation of cartilage matrix components and tissue remodeling. PTOA affects 12% of the population who experience osteoarthritis and is attributed to over $3 billion dollars annually in healthcare costs. It is currently unknown whether articulation of the joint post-injury helps tissue healing or exacerbates cellular dysfunction and eventual death.
Charge-order-enhanced capacitance in semiconductor moiré superlattices
Van der Waals moiré materials have emerged as a highly controllable platform to study electronic correlation phenomena1–17. Robust correlated insulating states have recently been discovered at both integer and fractional filling factors of semiconductor moiré systems10–17. In this study we explored the thermodynamic properties of these states by measuring the gate capacitance of MoSe2/WS2 moiré superlattices. We observed a series of incompressible states for filling factors 0–8 and anomalously large capacitance in the intervening compressible regions.
Restructuring physics labs to cultivate sense of student agency
Instructional physics labs offer students unique opportunities to develop an understanding of experimentation. By transforming labs to be more open ended and experimentation focused, instructors can better support student agency and choice. In this study, we examine students’ overall sense of and perceptions about agency in two experimentation-focused labs: one course primarily taken by physics majors and another course primarily taken by engineering majors. We compare the sense of and perceptions about agency between the different courses and between men and women in each course.
Does filling-dependent band renormalization aid pairing in twisted bilayer graphene?
Magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene (MATBG) exhibits a panoply of many-body phenomena that are intimately tied to the appearance of narrow and well-isolated electronic bands. The microscopic ingredients that are responsible for the complex experimental phenomenology include electron–electron (phonon) interactions and nontrivial Bloch wavefunctions associated with the narrow bands.
Geometry of gene regulatory dynamics
Embryonic development leads to the reproducible and ordered appearance of complexity from egg to adult. The successive differentiation of different cell types that elaborate this complexity results from the activity of gene networks and was likened by Waddington to a flow through a landscape in which valleys represent alternative fates. Geometric methods allow the formal representation of such landscapes and codify the types of behaviors that result from systems of differential equations.