I first started my research in Condensed Matter Physics as an undergraduate researcher, but I didn’t start as an experimentalist. I studied electronic property of graphene with adatoms by Density Functional Theory (DFT). DFT is a powerful tool to study material properties, however, I was not satisfied with only seeing simulated results from a computer, so I changed to condensed matter experiment when applying for graduate school. After I entered graduate school, I learned about spintronics. I was fascinated by the ideas and potential of utilizing the spin degree of freedom in materials, especially in graphene. I’m excited about our work on understanding the physical problems in spintronics, as well as pushing the frontier of spintronic applications.
My research effort focuses on spin injection and manipulation in graphene. We study the spin injection efficiency of electrical spin injection in graphene, and explore the possibilities to realize spin injection in graphene with different methods. We also try to modify the spin property of graphene by inducing magnetic ordering and spin-orbit coupling through adatoms and proximity effect.
Outside of science, I’m trying to train myself to be a photographer.
| Team | Tiancong Zhu