Ultrafast transport in quantum materials

About

We investigate transport phenomena in quantum materials at terahertz frequencies and on ultrafast timescales. We are particularly interested in exploring how charge transport is modified in the presence of strong laser fields, where quantum effects that are inaccessible under equilibrium conditions can be realized. We do so using a suite of ultrafast optoelectronic techniques.

The group was founded at the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter (MPSD) in Hamburg, and began transitioning to Columbia University in 2022. It is part of the new Center for Non-equilibrium Quantum Phenomena, a collaborative research initiative between MPSD, the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Columbia University and the Flatiron Institute in New York.

News

DOE Early Career Award for James McIver 

James McIver has been awarded the prestigious Early Career Award by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). He was selected for the proposed project Ultrafast Control of Topological Transport in Quantum Materials.

Columbia press release 

MPSD press release

Colloquium: Nonthermal pathways to ultrafast control in quantum materials 

Recent progress in utilizing ultrafast light-matter interaction to control the macroscopic properties of quantum materials is reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed on photoinduced phenomena that do not result from ultrafast heating effects but rather emerge from microscopic processes that are inherently nonthermal in nature.

Reviews of Modern Physics 93 (4), 041002 (2021)
MPSD press release

Light-induced anomalous Hall effect in graphene

Ultrafast transport measurements reveal an anomalous Hall effect in graphene driven by circularly polarized light. A Floquet-engineered topological band structure is the source of the effect.  

Nature Physics 16, 38-41 (2020)
Editorial in Nature Physics
News & Views by J.C.W. Song
MPSD press release

Congratulations to Dorothee, Felix and Xinyu for their Master's and Jesse for his Bachelor's graduation!

Benedikt graduates with summa cum laude!

Gunda wins the GRC Ultrafast young investigator award!

Matthew Day receives Humboldt Fellowship!