Welcome to the

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.

Latest news:

We are enthusiastic to share that Bailey won the 2025 ACS Physical Chemistry Graduate Award Winner in Experimental Physical Chemistry for her work on solid-state high harmonic generation applied to study quantum materials. Congratulations Bailey!

This year we welcome Kyoka Nagashima as new graduate student to the group. Kyoka did her undergraduate studies and research at UC Davis and here she will join our effort on attosecond spectroscopy of solid state materials.

We are excited to kick off the Fall and a new academic year. Slightly delayed this year due to FEL and other travel activities, we were finally able to get everyone together for a current group photo.