Welcome to the Zuerch Lab

The Zuerch Lab at the University of California at Berkeley experimentally explores structural, carrier and spin dynamics in novel quantum materials, heterostructures and on surfaces and at interfaces to answer current questions in materials science and physical chemistry. For this we pursue a multidisciplinary research program that combines the exquisite possibilities that ultrafast X-ray spectroscopy and nanoimaging offers and closely interface with material synthesis and theory groups. We employ state-of-the-art methods and develop novel nonlinear X-ray spectroscopies in our lab and at large-scale facilities. Specifically, we are interested in experimentally studying and controlling material properties on time scales down to the sub-femtosecond regime and on nanometer length scales to tackle challenging problems in quantum electronics, information storage and solar energy conversion.

Learn more about our research.

Latest news:

During the 8th ATTO Conference in Orlando, FL, was inducted to the International Program Committee of ATTO which is one of the most important conferences in the field of attosecond science. In this role Michael will contribute to shaping this important conference in the years to come.

We are excited to welcome Jackson McClellan who joins us for the summer through the NSF-REU program. Jackson majors in Physics at the Ohio State University and will work over the summer on disentangling complex X-ray diffraction signatures of a photoexcited solid-state electrolyte.

Congratulations to Nadia! She got awarded the Departmental Citation in Chemistry which is one of the highest honors in the College of Chemistry for undergraduates and she also graduated with honors. Photo shows her receiving the award at the 2022 Commencement.