Investigators

Carolyn Zhang

I am broadly interested in quantum phases of matter, in and out of equilibrium, and transitions between them. I particularly enjoy using simple toy models and physical intuition to understand seemingly complex many-body phenomena, and general arguments using ideas involving generalized symmetries. More recently, I have been exploring the interplay between decoherence, measurement, and unitary dynamics with an eye toward applications in (1) quantum error correction (2) inherently dynamical phases and phase transitions, and (3) efficient classical algorithms for simulating quantum systems. My work overlaps with topics in quantum information theory, high energy theory, and mathematical physics.

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Max McGinley

My group uses theoretical ideas from quantum information theory to understand the behaviour of complex many-body systems, and to develop strategies for simulating them using quantum computers. The systems we are interested in are made up of many correlated quantum degrees of freedom (e.g. electrons in a material, or atoms in a superfluid), which can exhibit a diverse range of collective phenomena that are believed to be too complex simulate on a classical computer. I seek to understand where this intrinsic complexity comes from, and to develop quantum algorithms that could allow us to probe these systems using current and future generations of quantum information processors.

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Ismail El Baggari

Ismail El Baggari is an Assistant Professor in Physics & Astronomy and Principal Investigator at the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute at The University of British Columbia. He previously led an independent research group as Fellow at the Rowland Institute at Harvard. His research focuses on the development and application of in situ cryogenic electron microscopy for imaging quantum materials and devices at the atomic scale.

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Joerg Rottler Department of Physics and Astronomy

Joerg Rottler

With computational techniques ranging from density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations on the atomic scale, to field theoretic (phase field) methods on the mesoscale, the group studies a diverse range of materials that include amorphous solids, polymers, and nanomaterials. Computer simulations facilitate the discovery of emergent phenomena, test theories and generic trends, reveal quantities that are difficult or impossible to obtain in experiments, and thus provide essential input into the design of new functional materials. The group maintains close collaborations with several experimental groups at SBQMI.

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Jeff Young Department of Physics and Astronomy

Jeff Young

Our group develops new optical materials and devices by controlling composition on lengthscales from 5 nm -500 nm. Electron-beam, atomic-force-microscopy (AFM), and optical lithographies are used in conjunction with a variety of etching and deposition technologies to produce 3D-textured structures in which the electronic and photonic eigen states can be “designed” by judicious choice of patterns, lengthscales, and material combinations. The motivation is to offer optical device engineers a more diverse range of material options when developing next and next-next generation technologies.

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Andrea Damascelli Department of Physics and Astronomy

Andrea Damascelli

Our group develops and utilizes angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and its time- and spin- resolved variants, as well as resonant x-ray scattering (RXS), to push the limits of these techniques and gain a deeper understanding of quantum materials and new phases of matter. Leveraging facilities established at Blusson QMI in the UBC-Moore Centre for Ultrafast Quantum Matter and the Quantum Materials Spectroscopy Centre at the Canadian Light Source, we pursue the engineering of the electronic structures of these materials through in situ adatom deposition, strain, and the optical coherent control of electronic states via pulsed laser excitations.

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W. Andrew MacFarlane Department of Chemistry

W. Andrew MacFarlane

Using radioactive beta-detected NMR, we study the electromagnetic properties of single crystals, thin films, and multilayers. Our main probe is the short-lived isotope 8Li. Using this probe we also study molecular dynamics and lithium ionic mobility in thin films and near interfaces. We develop the techniques and apply them to interesting material problems, which are difficult or impossible to address with more conventional techniques.

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Lukas Chrostowski Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Lukas Chrostowski

Our main research interests are in the applications of silicon photonics, including optical communications, biosensors, and quantum information. Using the relatively mature silicon photonics technology, and very mature CMOS electronics technology, we are developing a quantum information platform.

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Ke Zou Department of Physics and Astronomy

Ke Zou

Our research interests are in the growth of complex oxide and chalcogenide films by molecular beam epitaxy and the studies of their properties and functions. We aim to achieve scientific and technological breakthroughs in new materials and new functional devices. We integrate molecular beam epitaxy synthesis with nanostructure fabrication and characterization techniques for physical and electronic structures, to explore and control the generated properties in new materials and in new forms of materials, such as in heterostructures and gated field effect transistors.

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Marcel Franz; SBQMI, UBC Physics & Astronomy

Marcel Franz

We formulate and study simple models of solids that are relevant to topological states of quantum matter, including topological insulators, superconductors and semimetals as well as models of strongly interacting many-body systems. The key criteria driving our research are: (i) cutting edge theoretical developments and (ii) relevance to real physical systems as studied by our experimental colleagues.

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Mark MacLachlan Department of Chemistry

Mark MacLachlan

Our group members synthesize new molecules (especially macrocycles) and study their self-assembly under different conditions. We also develop new photonic materials using liquid crystalline templates, especially derived from cellulose and chitin. Finally, we explore a variety of new nanostructured materials for different applications.

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