Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University
Abstract：
Light-matter interaction, spanning vast energy and length scales, is at the heart of the technologies driving our modern world. At the nanoscale, new opportunities emerge as light and electronic states naturally couple strong and become quantized, producing discrete resonances in metallic and dielectric nanostructures and enhanced quasi-particle and collective excitations in 2D materials.
In this seminar, I will talk about a series of coherent efforts to create cutting-edge nanostructures for achieving unprecedented control over extreme and quantized photon-electron interactions, paving the way for revolutionary devices and deeper insights into unexplored physics. We start the investigation by shrinking down the size of bulk materials to hundreds of nanometers. The resulting engineered nanostructures provide a rich library of quantized optical resonant modes [1], enabling precise manipulation of light and the integration of electronic and optical components in ways that break conventional limits [2-4]. Further miniaturization of nanomaterials to atomically thin limits reduces optical confinement but enhances quantum confinement and suppresses dielectric screening. These effects unlock the quantized quasi-particle and collective excitations in low-dimensional materials, enabling strong and tunable interactions with free-space light as well [5], leading to the creation of functional optical elements as thin as atoms [6]. The exciting story continues with the synergy between the above mentioned two material platforms: with carefully engineered optical, electrical, and mechanical nano-environments, these tailored nanostructures become powerful tools for regulating the quasiparticle excitations in low-dimensional materials in desired ways, gaining the access to the control of center of mass motion, strong nonlinearities, and quantum emission. Ultimately, by merging advanced device technology with a profound understanding of quantum materials, my work may enable harnessing quantum light and matter in more controllable ways, driving innovations in quantum communication, simulation, and computing.
[1] Qitong Li, et al., Optica 8, 464-470 (2021).
[2] Qitong Li et al., Nature Communications 10, e4982 (2019).
[3] Qitong Li et al., Nature Nanotechnology 17, 1097-1103 (2022).
[4] Son Tung Ha*, Qitong Li* et al., Science, 386, eadm7442 (2024).
[5] Qitong Li, et al., Nature Photonics 17, 897-903 (2023).
[6] Melissa Li, Qitong Li*, Mark L. Brongersma*, Harry A. Atwater*, Science, 386, adk7707 (2024).
Brief CV of Dr. Qitong Li:
Dr. Qitong Li is currently a postdoctoral researcher working with Prof. Tony F. Heinz in the Department of Applied Physics at Stanford University. He received his B.Sc. degree in Physics from Peking University in 2016 and his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University under the supervision of Prof. Mark L. Brongersma in 2022. His research seeks to create cutting-edge nanostructures for achieving unprecedented control over extreme and quantized photon-electron interactions, paving the way for revolutionary meta and quantum optoelectronic devices.
Qitong has authored (co-authored) over 20 papers published in peer-reviewed journals, including first author/corresponding author ones in Science, Nature Photonics, Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Communications, Optica, etc. He is the recipient of the Rising Stars of Light (2024), MRS Graduate Student Award (2020), the O. Cutler Shepard Award at Stanford University (2020), and the Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad (2021).
报告地点：M楼238会议室
腾讯会议ID: 712-298-161
会议密码：0508
主持人：陆凌 研究员
联系人：傅琦 （82649469）