Title: Manipulating the Electrical Properties of Van der Waals Quantum Materials by Static and Dynamic Strain 

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER, 18, 2021 11:00AM-11:50AM

Abstract: Topological order and materials have been at the center of attention in condensed matter physics and engineering. Topological materials, a new quantum state of matter, are a family of quantum materials with boundary states whose physical properties are robust against disorder. Therefore, there have been few examples for a topological phase transition realized experimentally, even fewer cases for an in-situ tuning of the topological phase. For the first part of my talk, I will discuss our results and methods to apply uniaxial strain in topological van der Waals quantum materials and how it influences its electrical properties. Our results point towards a topological phase transition of the system tuned by in situ uniaxial strain. For the second part of my talk, I will discuss our approach to creating dynamic strain in van der Waals quantum materials and how to control the electron and excitons dynamics in such systems. Our results could pave the way for creating topological phases of matter by strain engineering in quantum materials and devices as well as a step towards a solid-state quantum simulator platform.