Teaching

PHYS 8970: Fall 2022

Recently, quantum supremacy or quantum advantage has been demonstrated in quantum computers with dozens of quantum bits (qubits). The implementations of quantum computers involve many quantum materials, which exhibit exotic properties such as quantum fluctuations, quantum entanglement, strong electronic correlations, and robust boundary states protected by topology. Thus, this interdisciplinary course covers the selected topics in quantum computing and quantum materials to promote the emerging quantum research cluster at Auburn. First of all, an introduction to the fundamentals of quantum computing will be provided. The topics include quantum mechanics as applied in quantum computing, the architecture of quantum computers, and quantum algorithms. Then, the course will focus more on the “physics” aspect of quantum computing. The topics will cover the implementations of quantum computing based on selected quantum materials: superconductors, topological materials, and two- dimensional materials.

PHYS 8930: Fall 2020

This course is a directed study in advanced physics for graduate students. It will cover (i) the physics of two-dimensional (2D) materials, (ii) the fundamental of synchrotron radiation, (iii) synchrotron-based spectroscopy and microscopy techniques such as angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD), and (iv) XMCD investigation of quantum materials with an emphasis of 2D magnets.

PHYS 5610/6610: Spring 2024

Solid state or condensed matter physics in a broader sense, is the branch of physics that studies the properties of natural and synthesized materials. The roots of solid state physics lie in quantum mechanics. In recent years, the notion of quantum materials has emerged as a powerful concept in condensed matter, which is producing many advances in fundamental physics and applications in quantum technologies. This course introduces the key ingredients of cooking quantum materials. The main topics include crystal structure, lattice vibration, band theory, and semiconductors. Meanwhile, the relevant experimental techniques of studying quantum materials, such as x-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, and photoemission spectroscopy, will be discussed.

PHYS 1600: Spring 2020, Fall 2021 , Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023

This course is Engineering Physics I (OpenStax Textbook Vol 1), which gives an introduction of classical mechanics using calculus. It covers kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, work and energy, impulse and momentum, rotation, conservation laws, gravitation, fluid, oscillations, and waves.

PHYS 1610: Fall 2019

This course is Engineering Physics II (OpenStax Textbook Vol 2), which gives an introduction of electromagnetism using calculus. It covers electrostatics, DC circuits, magnetism, electromagnetic phenomena, Maxwell’s equations, electromagnetic waves, optics, and modern physics.