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Kezilebieke Shawulienu’s research is focused on designer quantum materials, which is a key research subject in condensed matter physics. It offers great opportunities to explore emerging new physics and provide pathways to many-body quantum phenomena that are exceedingly difficult to find intrinsically in isolated materials.

“Quantum mechanics permits far more exotic states of matter than the gases, liquids, solids, and plasmas used in current technology. The topological quantum matter is one of the interesting states of matter that appears in quantum materials. Quantum materials exhibit a wide range of interesting, and potentially extremely useful, physical properties starting from high-temperature superconductivity to exotic topologically ordered states. A fundamental understanding of the physics behind, and controlling their quantum many-body states and phases could ultimately deliver a step-change in functionality for new technologies”. says Kezilebieke.

“However, it is exceedingly difficult to find this type of exotic states of matter in naturally occurring materials. Therefore, we synthesize our artificial quantum materials from individual atomic layers in order to create designer quantum matter such as two-dimensional systems of interacting electrons. This allows us to create a new type of material that no naturally occurring material possesses. After synthesis, we explore the electronic properties of our artificial materials by means of a variety of experimental probes, including low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, or STM and STS as we call them”, explains Kezilebieke.

“This funding will offer a chance to set up my own group, which is crucial for my academic career. It will provide me a platform to study these phenomena and also open unprecedented possibilities of utilizing them for technological purposes. I am really excited to start this project with the soon-to-be-installed low-temperature STM in the Nanoscience Center”, says Kezilebieke.