Custom low-dimensional material systems explored from atom to bulk

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Despite great progress in discovering and characterizing macroscopic states of matter, advances in understanding the fundamental mechanisms behind these phenomena is hampered by the challenges of probing matter at the atomic scale as well as control over creating new material systems with designed geometries and chemical composition. The objective of my research plan is to develop an innovative platform aimed at overcoming these challenges. To that end, with the vision of connecting atomic-scale understanding of physical phenomena with their macroscopic manifestation, I intend to combine two powerful approaches: 1) building custom nanostructures layer-by-layer from atomically thin crystals of van der Waals bonded materials and 2) characterizing and controlling matter at the atomic scale using scanning probe microscopy. The materials systems discussed here are recently discovered, and they present us with the opportunity of making ground-breaking discoveries that stem from novel phenomena occurring strictly when electrons are confined in low dimensions. Since innovative technologies have a history of capitalizing on the discovery of new physical phenomena, such materials hold tremendous promise for applications in the areas of energy, photonics, sensing and beyond. I envision my research group to grow in the next five years and accommodate both graduate and undergraduate level HQP. They will perform cutting-edge experiments both in my laboratory as well as at the nanocenter user facility at Argonne National Laboratory. At the end of the training, they will be equipped with extensive hands-on experience on versatile world class laboratory equipment and with excellent scientific knowledge in the field of low dimensional physics, enabling them to be successful in their chosen career (academic or the private sector).