报告题目：Understanding and designing Dirac fermion systems by first-principles theory
报告人：Prof. Shengbai Zhang, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
时间：1月16号（周五）下午14:00pm
地点：田家炳南楼203
Abstract:
Recent success in topological insulators is a classic example showing the power of predictive theory. It has fueled first-principles study in pursuit of other Dirac fermion systems. Here, I will present a few examples from my own group: the first one concerns with exotic topological states at the real interface between a topological insulator and a normal insulator. The second one concerns with how to design a Chern insulator at the surface of an ordinary semiconductor [1,2]. The third one regards the fabrication of transition metal honeycomb [3] and our recent prediction of magnetically enhanced electron-phonon coupling in tri-layered MnB4 [4]. Finally, I will lay out the prospect of assembling two-dimensional Dirac systems such as graphene into three-dimensional lattice such as the carbon Kagome lattice [5] for novel electronic and optical properties.
[1] Y. Li, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 206802 (2012).
[2] Y. Li, et al., Phys. Rev. B 87, 245127 (2013).
[3] L. Li, et al., Nano Letters 13, 4671 (2013).
[4] S.-Y. Xie, et al., Phys. Rev. B 90, 035447 (2014).
[5] Y. Chen, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 085501 (2014) (Editor’s Suggestion).
[12] H. B. Shu, et. al., Chem. Sci, 5, 4639 (2014)
[13] T Ma, et. al., PNAS, 110, 20386 (2013)
Brief Bio of Prof. Shengbai Zhang
Education:
Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley, 1989 (Physics).
M.S., University of California at Berkeley, 1985 (Physics).
B.S., Jilin University, Changchun, China, 1982 (Electronic Science and Engineering).
Career Highlights:
1989-91: Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Xerox PARC, Palo Alto.
1991-94: Research Associate, National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
1994-97: Staff Scientist, National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
1997-00: Senior Scientist I, National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
2000-07: Senior Scientist II, National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
2006- : Adjunct Professor, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Research Interests:
Prof.Zhang involves first-principles and multiscale calculations of structural and electronic properties of materials, which range from inorganic crystalline, amorphous semiconductors, metals, and their nanostructures to organic materials, bio functional groups, and solutions. While his research interests are primarily in the fundamental physics of materials, they have always been inspired by the needs for sustainable energy and environment, technology leadership, and national security. Recent work includes (1) defect control in low-cost solar cell materials, (2) dynamics of water splitting, (3) physics of ultrafast phase change memory, (4) understanding the growth of high-quality topological insulators, (5) physics behind nano-catalysis, (6) emerging phenomena at the interface between superconductor and semiconductor or dielectric oxide, and (7) exotic two-dimensional materials beyond graphene. He have published about 280 peer reviewed papers with high impact to the fields (citations >11,000, Hirsch Index = 56).
Selected Publications:
1. X.-B. Li, et al., “Role of electronic excitation in the amorphization of Ge-Sb-Te alloys”, Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 015501 (2011).
2. Y.-H. Kim, K. Kim, and S. B. Zhang, “First-principles calculation of thermodynamic stability of acids and bases under pH environment: A microscopic pH theory”, J. Chem. Phys. 136, 134112 (2012).
3. D. West, Y. Y. Sun, H. Wang, J. Bang, and S. B. Zhang, “Native defects in second-generation topological insulators: Effect of spin-orbit interaction on Bi2Se3”, Phys. Rev. B 86, 121201(R) (2012).
4. Y. Li, et al., “Dirac Fermions in strongly-bound graphene systems”, Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 206802 (2012).
5. X. Gao, Z. Wei, V. Meunier, Y. Sun, S. B. Zhang, “Opening a large band gap for graphene by covalent addition”, Frontiers Article, Chem. Phys. Lett. 555, 1 (2013).
6. J. Bang, et al., “Regulating Energy Transfer of Excited Carriers and the case for excitation-induced hydrogen dissociation on hydrogenated graphene”, PNAS 110, 908 (2013).