The focus of research in my group lies in the study of interacting electronic systems in low-dimensional structures. We have developed a technique that permits precision contactless determination of electron tunneling into such structures for an unprecedented direct determination of electronic energy levels. This contactless tunneling can even function on insulating samples and give a full momentum and energy resolved spectrum. Using these methods our group has observed new and unexpected physics such as the detection of a sharp tunneling resonance arising from vibrations of electrons that form themselves into a crystal and the further observation of the quantum melting of the electronic crystal with increasing electron number. Our group also utilizes these very sensitive charge sensing to detect the energy required to add electrons, one by one, into electronic nanostructures, revealing new physics of systems containing from one electron up to thousands.
Awards and Achievements
- Fellow of the American Physical Society
- McMillan Award of the University of Illinois