Control of the electronic properties of van der Waals materials guided by the angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

Abstract:

The electrical transport and optical properties of van der Waals materials are shaped by the complex interactions between charge, lattice, and spin, all encoded in their surface electronic structure. This delicate balance can be significantly altered by introducing a new interfacial environment in a heterostructure or by exposing the materials to external stimuli like electric fields or ultrafast optical pulses.

In this talk, I will highlight angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) as a powerful method for identifying dominant many-body effects in model moiré systems. I will also explore how integrating nanoscale resolution with ARPES can bridge the gap between transport and spectroscopic measurements, offering a pathway to manipulate the electronic properties for desired functionalities.

Short bio: 

Paulina Majchrzak is currently a Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellow. Her research focuses on advancing spectroscopic techniques—particularly photoemission—to probe and control complex materials. She investigates two-dimensional quantum materials and electrochemical systems under non-equilibrium and operational conditions, with the aim of tuning material properties and tailoring emergent phases for next-generation energy and quantum technologies. She holds a PhD in solid-state physics from Aarhus University and a Master’s degree in chemical physics from the University of Edinburgh.