The Wang Lab studies how symmetry, topology, electron correlation, and mechanical deformation can be controlled in atomically thin quantum materials. We develop quantum-material devices in which electric fields, stacking order, phase transitions, nonlinear electrodynamics, and mechanical transduction enable new functions such as memories, sensors, and other information technologies. Our research combines nanofabrication, quantum transport and optical spectroscopies to connect fundamental quantum materials physics with device-level functionality.
Correlated Topological Materials and Nonlinear Electrodynamics
We investigate nonlinear electronic and optical responses in correlated topological quantum materials. Recent work on few-layer TaIrTe₄ shows that nonlinear Hall measurements can reveal correlated electronic phases and Berry-curvature redistribution, while the same nonlinear electrodynamics enables broadband, zero-bias terahertz sensing. More broadly, this direction connects topology, correlation, symmetry breaking, and device-level nonlinear functions.
- H. Jiang, T. Xi et al., Nature Communications, 16, 6351 (2025)
- T. Xi, H. Jiang et al., Nature Electronics, 8, 578 (2025)
- Y. He et al., Advanced Functional Materials, 35, 2420356 (2025)
Electrically Controlled Quantum Phases in 2D Materials and develop information technology
We study how electric fields, electrostatic doping, and interlayer stacking can control symmetry, crystal structure, and electronic phases in atomically thin quantum materials. Our published work has demonstrated reversible structural phase transitions in monolayer MoTe₂, electrical control of nonlinear optical susceptibility, intrinsic two-dimensional ferroelectricity, Berry-curvature-based memory, and multifunctional ferroelectric tunnel junction devices.
- Y. Wang et al., Nature, 550, 487 (2017)
- J. Xiao*, H. Zhu*, Y. Wang* et al., Physical Review Letters, 120, 227601 (2018)
- J. Xiao*, Y. Wang* et al., Nature Physics, 16, 1028 (2020)
- Y. Wang et al., Nature Electronics, 4, 725 (2021)
Nanomechanical and Spin-Mechanical Transduction in 2D Quantum Materials
We develop nanomechanical devices as sensitive probes of phase transitions and transduction platform in dimensional materials. Our published work includes nanomechanical detection of stacking-order transitions in MoTe₂ membranes and spin-mechanical coupling in the two-dimensional antiferromagnet CrSBr. This platform can potentially for quantum transduction converting quantum information from one physical form to another.
- Y. Mao et al., npj 2D Materials and Applications, 8, 75 (2024)
- F. Fei et al., Nano Letters, 24, 10467 (2024)