RESEARCH INTERESTS
We have a very broad interest in condensed matter physics and quantum physics, varying from the traditional phenomena like ferroelectricity to the exotic topological phases like quantum spin Hall insulators.
Currently, we research focuses on two parts:
- Explore new phase of quantum matter including both symmetry-breaking phases and topological phases, and their novel properties, material realizations, experimental signatures and potential applications;
- Combination of advanced machine learning techniques and quantum physics, especially the combination of machine learning techniques and quantum Monte Carlo simulations and all optical neural networks.
C-paired spin-valley locking in antiferromagnet
- A new type of SVL that can realize many interesting and useful properties that were believed impossible in old theory. Nat. Commun. 12, 2846 (2021)
- Propose and demonstrate the C-paired SVL in AFM systems
- Can realize giant piezomagnetism and generate noncollinear spin current
- Various new approaches to control spin, valley and other degree of freedoms
Topological crystalline insulators
- Predicted SnTe-type of 3D TCIs, which is the first 3D TCIs confirmed by experiments. Nat. Commun. 3, 982 (2012)
- Systematically studied novel surface states of 3D TCIs and experimentally observed them. PRB 88, 241303(R) (2013); PRL 112, 186801 (2014)
- Proposed 2D TCIs and predicted its existences and quickly was confirmed in experiments. Nat. Mater. 13, 178-183 (2014)
Quantum spin Hall effect
- Predicted that quantum spin Hall effect could be realized in WTe2-type 2D materials for the first time
- The realization temperature (~100K) is much higher than all the previous systems (~30 mK)
Self-learning Monte Carlo methods
- A generic global update method that can dramatically accelerate calculations in both classical and quantum models
All-optical deep neural networks
- World-first all-optical deep neural network with non-collinear activation functions Optica 6, 1132 (2019) Phys. Rev. App. 15, 054034 (2021)