The Zuerch Lab at the University of California at Berkeley experimentally explores structural, carrier and spin dynamics in novel quantum materials, heterostructures and at material 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.
We are excited to find that our cover suggestion for our article “Solid-State High Harmonic Generation in Common Large Bandgap Substrate Materials” was selected as supplementary cover by the Journal of Physical Chemistry A.
Congratulations to Jackson to passing his qualifying exam!
Our latest research explores the role of substrates in solid-state high harmonic generation (sHHG) spectroscopy, an ultrafast technique that reveals critical insights into material properties like electronic structure. While many studies on two-dimensional and quantum materials assume all sHHG signals come solely from the sample, our findings indicate that some substrates, including fused silica, calcium fluoride, diamond, and sapphire, contribute sHHG emissions under certain conditions. By examining power-dependent and angle-resolved sHHG emissions, we provide guidelines for substrate selection to enhance the accuracy of sHHG studies on novel materials. This work broadens the potential for sHHG in advanced material analysis.
Special congratulations to first-author Ezra for his first paper as undergraduate researcher and to all group members involved.
This work was published open access in the Journal of Physical Chemistry A as part of the Richard J. Saykally Festschrift:
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpca.4c04991