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Hanyu Zhu

Hanyu Zhu

Assistant Professor, Materials Science and NanoEngineering William Marsh Rice Chair

Materials Science and NanoEngineering

CONTACT

hanyu.zhu@rice.edu

WEBSITE(S)| http://zhugroup.rice.edu/

SURF Mentoring

Potential projects/topics: When electron-electron interactions outweigh kinetic energy, electrons can self-organize into ordered arrays known as Wigner crystals. Two-dimensional materials can be engineered to produce a periodic landscape of quantum-dot-like traps, driving the formation of crystalline order at low densities and providing a promising platform for quantum simulation. In this project, students will prepare and identify 2D materials with optical microscopy, fabricate heterostructure devices, and help to characterize these quantum systems with advanced ultrafast optical spectroscopy.

Potential skills gained: Nanomaterials, optical microscopy, device fabrication

Required qualifications: Any training in the areas of basic materials science, physics, electrical engineering or mechanical engineering. The exact project will be formulated based on the skill set.

Direct mentor: Faculty/P.I., Graduate Student

Research Areas

Dr. Zhu and his Emerging Quantum and Ultrafast Activity Laboratory (EQUAL) engineer materials at the atomic level with light. He is interested in the interplay among the lattice structures, electrons and electromagnetic waves to create quantum behavior that typically only exist in extreme conditions with natural compounds. These artificial materials potentially serve in robust information technology and sensitive detectors beyond the classical limit.