News & Events

News & Events

May, 2017 - Jul, 2017

Speaker: Dr. Michael Sejer Wismer
Affiliation: Max Plank Institute of Quantum Optics, Germany
Abstract Details: The generation of pulses as short as a few cycles at optical frequencies allows for new regimes of nonlinear optics in solid media [1,2]. Few-cycle pulses have been shown to drive currents in insulating materials with large band gaps (~ 9 eV) at electric field strengths on the order of 1 V/Ã…, without causing structural changes to the medium. In this talk I will present results on numerical calculations of few-cycle pulses interacting with electrons in crystalline media. A 5 fs pulse tuned to the fundamental band gap in GaAs exhibits nonlinear dynamics beyond Rabi oscillations, which is due to the significant influence of intraband motion. We argue that the modulation in transition energies caused by intraband motion leads to the appearance of anharmonic resonances. I will also present results for the optical Faraday effect, which is likewise investigated for ultrashort pulses. Circularly polarised pump pulses with field strength close to the damage threshold are numerically shown to rotate incoming UV probe pulse which would require up to 100 T for the conventional Faraday effect. In addition, pump-probe spectroscopy of the induced ellipticity is predicted to exhibit features that have not yet been measured experimentally. [1] Observation of high-order harmonic generation in a bulk crystal, Ghimire et al., Nature Phys., 2011. [2] Optical-field-induced current in dielectrics Agustin, Schiffrin et al., Nature, 2013 [3]Strong-Field Resonant Dynamics in Semiconductors, Wismer et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 2016. [4]Ultrafast optical Faraday effect in transparent solids, Wismer et al. arXiv:1612.08433.
About the Speaker: Michael Sejer Wismer Max Plank Institute of Quantum Optics, Hans-Kopfermann Strae 1, Garching bei Mnchen, Germany
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Speaker: Prof. Wei Ku
Affiliation: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Abstract Details: Like the high-temperature superconductivity found in other systems, superconductivity in Fe-based systems is often found near an long-range ordered phase. This talk will introduce our understanding of the strong spin- and orbital-correlations. In particular, a counter-intuitive enhancement of quantum ?uctuation with larger spins, together with a few novel physical phenomena, is discovered in studying the recently observed emergent magnetism in high-temperature superconductor FeSe under pressure. Starting with experimental crystalline structure from our high-pressure X-ray re?nement, we analyze theoretically the stability of the magnetically ordered state with a realistic spin-fermion model. We ?nd surprisingly that in comparison with the magnetically ordered Fe-pnictides, the larger spins in FeSe su?er even stronger long-range quantum ?uctuation that diminishes their ordering at ambient pressure. This ”fail-to-order” quantum spin liquid state then develops into an ordered state above 1GPa due to weakened ?uctuation accompanying the reduction of anion height and carrier density. The ordering further bene?ts from the ferro-orbital order and shows the observed enhancement around 1GPa. We further clarify the controversial nature of magnetism and its interplay with nematicity in FeSe in the same uni?ed picture for all Fe-based superconductors. In addition, the versatile itinerant carriers produce interesting correlated metal behavior in a large region of phase space. Our study establishes a generic exceptional paradigm of stronger quantum ?uctuation with larger spins that complements the standard knowledge of insulating magnetism.
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Speaker: Prof. Paulo.J. Ferreira
Abstract Details: Aberration-Corrected TEM/STEM, and In-Situ TEM have emerged as powerful tools for the characterization of nanomaterials. Aberration-Corrected TEM/STEM enable atomic and structural imaging resolution below 0.1 nanometers while performing chemical analysis at the atomic level, while in-situ TEM allows dynamic real-time imaging of nanomaterials behavior. In this talk, a brief overview of Aberration-Corrected TEM/STEM, and in-situ TEM will be presented and related to the quest for investigating nanomaterials. Subsequently, two examples showing the power of these techniques in providing scientific insight will be discussed.  First, using aberration-corrected HAADF/STEM imaging and STEM simulations, as well as EELS analyses, the atomic structure and composition of Li-ion battery materials will be discussed. Second, aberration-corrected STEM and in-situ TEM of Pt, Pt-alloy and Ag nanoparticles will be presented.
About the Speaker: Professor Paulo.J. Ferreira Robert & Jane Mitchell Endowed Faculty Fellowship in Engineering Director of the Center for Electron Microscopy Materials Science & Engineering Program The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX, 78712, USA
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About the Speaker:

Plenary speakers
  • Subir Sachdev (Harvard)
  • Sankar Das Sarma (Maryland)
  • Kostya Novoselov (Manchester)
Confirmed invited speakers
  • Antonio H. Castro Neto (Singapore)
  • Cristiane de Morais Smith (Utrecht)
  • Erez Berg (Chicago)
  • Fakher Assaad (Wurzburg)
  • Hong Yao (Beijing)
  • Igor Herbut (Vancouver)
  • Lucas Wagner (Illinois)
  • Marco Polini (Genoa)
  • Masaki Oshikawa (Tokyo)
To submit an abstract to be considered for a student/post-doc talk, please submit a one page abstract via easychair at https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=interactingtopologic Payment and Registration Information

Registration closes at midnight on Tuesday June 20th

To attend this conference, please pay the conference fee at https://payment.yale-nus.edu.sg/GRAPHENERESEARCH Fees: Singapore-based participant: SGD 40; International participant: SGD 200; Conference Banquet fee: SGD 150 There is no registration cost for invited and selected contributed speakers. Faculty and student participants whose primary affiliation is with a university or research center based in Singapore should select “Singapore-based participant”, while all others should select “International participant”. Any participant wishing to join the conference banquet (except invited speakers) should additionally pay for the “Conference banquet fee”. Conference Program Click here Further information Contact: interactingtopologicalelectrons2017@easychair.org

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Speaker: Dr. Radha Boya
Affiliation: University of Manchester, United Kingdom
Abstract Details: Nanometre-scale pores and capillaries have long been studied because of their importance in many natural phenomena and their use in numerous applications. A more recent development is the ability to fabricate artificial capillaries with nanometre dimensions, which has enabled new research on molecular transport and led to the emergence of nanofluidics. But surface roughness in particular makes it challenging to produce capillaries with precisely controlled dimensions at this spatial scale. We have developed a method for fabrication of narrow and smooth capillaries through van der Waals assembly, with atomically flat sheets at the top and bottom separated by spacers made of two-dimensional crystals with a precisely controlled number of layers. We use graphene and its multilayers as archetypal two-dimensional materials to demonstrate this technology, which produces structures that can be viewed as if individual atomic planes had been removed from a bulk crystal to leave behind flat voids of a height chosen with atomic-scale precision. Water transport through the channels, ranging in height from one to several dozen atomic planes, is characterized by unexpectedly fast flow (up to 1 metre per second) that we attribute to high capillary pressures (about 1,000 bar) and large slip lengths. For channels that accommodate only a few layers of water, the flow exhibits a marked enhancement that we associate with an increased structural order in nanoconfined water. Our work opens up an avenue to making capillaries and cavities with sizes tunable to ångström precision, and with permeation properties further controlled through a wide choice of atomically flat materials available for channel walls. Reference B. Radha et al., Molecular transport through capillaries made with atomic-scale precision. Nature 538, 222-225 (2016).
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Speaker: Dr. Seunghyun Hong
Abstract Details: Ionic selectivity is a major attribute to consider when designing novel membranes for separation technologies. As one of promising candidates for next generation nanofiltration, graphene oxides (GO) membranes with tunable physiochemical properties offers an excellent framework to make highly efficient ion-selective channels without compromising ultrahigh water permeance. Here, I demonstrate ultrahigh charge and size selective ion transport in GO-based membranes with microscopic drift-diffusion method. I identified primary mechanisms governing ionic rejection in GO membranes from precise investigation for a range of ionic species: surface charge groups inside the GO nanochannels are responsible for electrostatically repulsing co-ions. Furthermore, I describe the chemical confinement of interlayer channel in GO membranes, enabling to achieve accurate size selective sieving while water flow is weakly affected. These ionic selectivity opens up new venue for electrodialysis and desalination to GO.
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Speaker: Dr. Daria Andreeva- Bäumler
Abstract Details: Nonlinear modulation of microstructures concerns questions also relevant for understanding of the origin of life, material science, geo- and bio- science. Recent examples are the formation of chiral and hierarchically structured porous metal composites, epitaxial strain induced transitions in layered oxides, switchable infrared nanophotonic elements based on phase change materials, design of autonomous motors, etc. However, the main question is, how to establish a dynamic control of useful characteristics, for example dynamic control of crystal / grain size and composition modulation in solids. A possible answer is to develop a new generation of dynamic impactors that can trigger oscillations of structures and functions. In my talk I focus on ultrasonically triggered cavitation, that can be defined as growth and violent collapse of microbubbles, as a unique but underappreciated approach to generating a strong shock impact and thus rapid increase of temperature and pressure at a localized area (<0.02 µm). At 20 kHz bubbles oscillate with a period of 50 ?s. Adiabatic collapse of a bubble leads to electron temperature up to tens of eV. Thus, shock impact of oscillating bubbles creates highly non-equilibrium conditions for a dynamic modification of liquids and solids at microseconds time scale. I will talk about the linearity of cavitation driven microstructural changes in metals, namely changes in Ni grain sizes and transformations of Ni phases in Ni based alloys vs. time of ultrasonic treatment. Our work shows that the Interaction of microbubbles with surfaces drive several forces that lead to both grain growth and grain size reduction. The main questions are: Which forces drive grain growth and which forces trigger grain size reduction? What is the coupling mechanism that allows periodic switching between forces in the cavitating medium and leads to nonlinear effects in solids? Furthermore, the efficiency of the ultrasonically modified Ni compounds in synthesis of carbon phases can be established as a tool for monitoring of the effects of cavitation on solids. I will demonstrate cavitation driven sp2 and sp3 carbon transformations on Ni surface.
About the Speaker: Center for Soft and Living Matter Institute for Basic Science Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology 50 UNIST-gill, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919 Republic of Korea (South Korea) Dr. Daria Andreeva- Bäumler is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Soft and Living Matter, at the Institute for Basic Science, Ulsan, South Korea. She is a physical chemist who now applies her knowledge in the context of sonochemical material processing. Daria has authored more than 80 research papers and received various fellowships (e.g. AvH, DAAD, DFG, UNESCO, etc.). In the past, Daria has studied gas separation polymer membranes, composite barrier coatings and regulation of corrosion degradation by polyelectrolyte membranes with pH buffering properties. She currently focus on the investigation of the non-equilibrium phenomena. Having finishing her habilitation at the University of Bayreuth, Germany, in 2017, she joined the CSLM, South Korea, where she explores non-equilibrium chemistry for material synthesis and phase transformations. Selected Publications Phase structuring in metal alloys: Ultrasound-assisted top-down approach to engineering of nanostructured catalytic materials, Cherepanov, P. V.; Andreeva D. V. Ultrason. Sonochem., 2017, 35, 556-562. The use of ultrasonic cavitation for near-surface structuring of robust and low-cost AlNi catalysts for hydrogen production, Cherepanov P. V.; Melnyk I.; Skorb E. V.; Fratzl P.; Zolotoyabko E.; Dubrovinskaia N.; Dubrovinsky L.; Avadhut Y. S.; Senker J.; Leppert L.; Kümmel S.; Andreeva D. V. Green Chemistry, 2015, 17, 2745-2749. Ultrasonically induced pathways of silicon modification towards a porous luminescent structure, Skorb, E. V.; Andreeva, D. V.; Möhwald, H. Angew. Chem. Inter. Ed., 2012, 51, 1-6. Sonochemical activation of Al/Ni hydrogenization catalyst, Dulle, J.; Nemeth, S.; Skorb, E. V.; Irrgang, T.; Senker, J.; Kempe, R.; Fery., A.; Andreeva, D. V. Advanced Functional Materials, 2012, 22, 3128-3135. Cavitation Engineered 3D Sponge Networks and Their Application in Active Surface Construction. Gensel, J.; Borke, T.; Pazos-Pérez, N.; Fery, A.; Andreeva, D. V.; Betthausen, E.; Müller, A.; Möhwald, H.; Skorb, E. V. Advanced Materials, 2012, 24, 985-989. Self-Healing Anticorrosion Coatings Based on pH-Sensitive Polyelectrolyte/Inhibitor Sandwich-like Nanostructures, Andreeva, D. V.; Fix, D.; Shchukin, D. G.; Möhwald, H. Advanced Materials, 2008, 20, 2789-2794.
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Speaker: Prof Philip W. Phillips
Abstract Details: We all learned that conserved quantities such as the current in a metal cannot acquire an anomalous dimension in any theory that respects charge conservation. A recent theory of the strange metal of the cuprates has reached the conclusion that all of the properties of this phase can be understood if the current does in fact acquire an anomalous dimension.  I will show how this seemingly contradictory prediction can be understood and also show that a finger print of such an anomaly is the Aharanov-Bohm flux through a strange metal ring. In the presence of an anomalous dimension, the AB phase deviates strikingly from the standard result and offers a precise diagnostic as to what is strange about the strange metal. I will also construct a Virasoro algebra for such anomalous currents and show that they correspond to a new class of non-local yet conformal theories.
About the Speaker: Philip Phillips is a theoretical condensed matter physicist who has an international reputation for his work on transport in disordered and strongly correlated low-dimensional systems. He is the inventor of various models for Bose metals, Mottness, and the random dimer model, which exhibits extended states in one dimension, thereby representing an exception to the localization theorem of Anderson's. His research focuses sharply on explaining current experimental observations that challenge the standard paradigms of electron transport and magnetism in solid state physics. Departures from paradigms tell us that there is much to learn. Such departures are expected to occur in the presence of strong-electron interactions, disorder, and in the vicinity of zero-temperature quantum critical points. The common question posed by experiments that probe such physics is quite general. Simply, how do strong Coulomb interactions and disorder conspire to mediate zero-temperature states of matter? It is precisely the strongly interacting electron problem or any strongly coupled problem for that matter, such as quark confinement, that represents one of the yet-unconquered frontiers in physics. Understanding the physics of strong coupling is Phillips' primary focus. In latter years, he has developed a number of approaches to the physics of cuprate high-Tc superconductors based on the gauge/gravity duality or the AdS/CFT conjecture, in which a strongly coupled quantum theory is mapped onto a weakly interacting theory of gravity, and he is one of the visible players in this field of mapping string theory and other models/tools from quantum gravity to condensed matter settings. Professor Phillips received his bachelor's degree from Walla Walla College in 1979, and his Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 1982. After a Miller Fellowship at Berkeley, he joined the faculty at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1984-1993). He joined the University of Illinois in 1993.
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Speaker: Prof Arthur F. Hebard
Abstract Details: It is widely recognized that interfaces between metals and most semiconductors form Schottky barriers with rectifying properties that are essential components of present-day electronics. This talk will begin with a tutorial overview of Schottky barriers and describe the physical concepts that are necessary and sufficient to gain a working understanding of their operation. Research will then be described which uncovers surprising phenomenology that points to new physics and novel device concepts. These phenomena include magnetodielectric coupling in nonmagnetic Au/GaAs:Si Schottky barriers, the formation of Schottky barriers at the interface of one-atom-thick zero-gap semiconductors (graphene), and the Schottky barriers formed by contacting freshly exfoliated flakes of van der Waals crystals such as Bi2Se3 (a topological insulator), layered transition metal dichalcogenides (such as TaS2, TiSe2 and NbSe2) harboring charge density waves and freshly cleaved Bi-2212 (a high Tc cuprate superconductor) to doped Si and GaAs wafers. Interestingly, modifications to the thermionic emission equation provide an excellent description of current-voltage characteristics at low temperatures where tunneling is known to be important, thereby providing a segue to a full tunneling description. Temperature, frequency and magnetic field dependence of current-voltage and capacitance-voltage characteristics will be described.Â
About the Speaker: Arthur Foster Hebard is a Distinguished Professor of Physics at University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. He is particularly noted for leading the discovery of superconductivity in Buckminsterfullerene in 1991. Art Hebard attended The Hotchkiss School and graduated with a BA in Physics from Yale University in 1962. He obtained his PhD from Stanford University in 1971 under William M. Fairbank with thesis Search for fractional charge using low temperature techniques. After a spell as a Research Associate at Stanford, he became a member of the Technical Staff at AT&T Bell Telephone Laboratories. He moved to the University of Florida as a Professor in 1996, and in 2007 was given the title of Distinguished Professor. He is the author of more than 250 refereed scientific publications and 90 invited presentations, and has been issued 10 patents. He was awarded the 2008Â James C. McGroddy Prize for New Materials by the American Physical Society, and a co-recipient of the 2015 Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize, also given by the American Physical Society, 'For discovery and pioneering investigations of the superconductor-insulator transition, a paradigm for quantum phase transitions.' His research interests include thin-film physics, graphene, fullerenes and fullerene derived compounds, superconductivity, dilute magnetic semiconductors, magnetism in thin films and at thin film interfaces, interface capacitance, magnetocapacitance of complex oxides and semiconductors. Notable recent work has been on the use of graphene for solar cells."
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Speaker: Prof Cheng-Wei Qiu
Abstract Details: I will report some of the most recent developments in my group as well as in the field of the interfacial engineering of manipulation of light-matter interactions, via the artificially constructed structures of ultrathin thickness compared to the wavelength. In particular, the low-dimension and high-frequency scaling may promise a lot more interesting applications, while the challenges in design principle and fabrication capability will become critical limits. Nano-patterned surfaces to modulate and structure novel light behavior will be studied and the following advanced functionalities will be discussed: 3D meta-hologram, high-pixelated nanopriting, dynamic OAM generation, and more interestingly, the 2D-material meta-lens of <1nm thickness, etc. Our work paves a roadmap to design sophisticated and advanced optical devices, with low dimension, miniaturization, randomness, and scaled-up capability.
About the Speaker: Prof. Cheng-Wei Qiu received his B.Eng. and Ph. D. degree in 2003 and 2007, respectively. He was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Physics Department in MIT till the end of 2009. Since December 2009, he joined NUS as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in Jan 2017. He was the recipient of the SUMMA Graduate Fellowship in Advanced Electromagnetics in 2005, IEEE AP-S Graduate Research Award in 2006, URSI Young Scientist Award in 2008, NUS Young Investigator Award in 2011, MIT TR35@Singapore Award in 2012, Young Scientist Award by Singapore National Academy of Science in 2013, and Faculty Young Research Award in NUS 2013. He has managed over 10 million grants as Lead PI, and 6 million grants as co-PI. His research interests are in the areas of electromagnetic wave theory of metasurface, light-matter interaction with 2D materials, and nanophotonics. He has published over 160 peer-reviewed journal papers, including 1 Nature Photonics, 8 Nature Communications, 10 Advanced Materials, 4 PRL, 3 LSA, 4 Nano Lett./ACS Nano, etc. He has given a few keynotes in international conferences. He has been serving in Associate Editor for various journals such as EPJ, Scientific Reports, and Topical Editor for JOSA B, Guest Editor for ACS Photonics, and General Chairs, Symposium Chairs, and TPC Chairs in various international conferences.
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