The Sun Lab is interested in applying functional molecules and their devices to develop quantum information technologies and explore emergent physics. Specifically, we focus on molecular electron spin qubits that are paramagnetic molecules with quantum coherence and two-dimensional metal‒organic frameworks that are crystalline microporous coordination complexes. Due to their designability, tunability, as well as unique structures and functionalities, these materials have the potential to reveal novel quantum phenomena and spark transformative applications in electronics, spintronics, and quantum information science.
Molecular quantum information science
Quantum information science could bring revolutionary technologies spanning computation, communication, and metrology. We are interested in developing quantum information technologies with molecular electron spin qubits harnessing their atomic-scale designability. We will elaborate molecular electron spin dynamic mechanisms, design dynamical decoupling sequences to improve coherence, and establish qubit addressing strategies in various application-relevant scenarios including single-molecule devices, surface of unique solids (e.g. diamond), and crystalline microporous materials. Integration of tailor-design molecular qubits with coherent addressing techniques would enable molecular on-chip quantum processors, electroluminescent quantum repeaters, and chemical-specific quantum sensors.
Emergent physics in 2D MOFs
Two-dimensional (2D) materials and their heterostructures exhibit fascinating emergent phenomena. With chemical versatility, unique unit-cell dimension, and crystalline microporous structures, 2D metal‒organic frameworks (MOFs) could bring new insight and perspective into emergent physics. We will isolate monolayer 2D MOFs and their in-plane heterostructures, fabricate micro/nano devices to characterize their electrical, magnetic, optical, and thermal properties, use them to produce van der Waals heterostructures with conventional 2D materials (graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, etc.), and conduct quantum transport and scanning-probe characterization to explore emergent phenomena including topological states, superconductivity, and 2D magnetism, etc.