Career
Assistant Professor, Concordia University, 2019-present.
Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2017-2019.
Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Florida, Gainesville, 2015-2017.
Dirac Fellow, National High Magnetic Field Lab, Tallahassee, 2013-2015.
Education
PhD. Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2013.
BTech(Honors), Electronics and Electrical Communications Engg., Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India, 2007.
Term courses
PHYS 459/636 Solid State Physics/Condensed Matter Physics I
PHYS 468/637 Condensed matter physics II
Collective phenomena in spin-orbit coupled systems
Spin-orbit coupling that breaks parity (Rashba and Dresselhaus type) results in peculiar quantum properties and new kind of chiral spin waves. Such a coupling typically manifests itself in 2D/quasi 2D systems and also forms the basis of the emerging field of spintronics/magnonics where the focus is to perform the typical “electronics” using the high efficiency and controllability of spin-based systems. We are interested in identifying and studying new kinds of spin-waves that 2D materials can host; and exploring their topological properties. Some systems we are interested in are hetero-structures/quantum wells, Graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides(TMD), and even cold-atom gases. We are also interested in knowing how these waves couple to spectroscopic probes.
Novel collective modes in systems with a zoo of quantum phases
Some of the most exciting systems in modern condensed matter physics are the high-Tc or unconventional superconductors(SC). The superconductivity in such systems is peculiar, no doubt, but the richness of unexplored territory these systems provide is what keeps everybody on the go. These systems (Fe-based SC, Cu-based SC, Sr2RuO4, etc) always demonstrate some form of magnetism, nematicity, density waves, quantum criticality or any combination of them. To gain some insight into the connection between the ordered state and the material properties, we aim at understanding the nature of collective (spin/charge) excitations that these systems can host in all of the possible ordered states. We then suggest (spectroscopic and scattering) experiments to verify the phenomena.
Gauge fields in 2D lattices
Dimensionality (2D vs 3D) plays a very important role in gauge theories. For example, the electrodynamics can be described by the Maxwell term in the effective action in 2D or 3D. However, only in 2D lies the possibility of an additional entity like the Chern Simons term (if certain discrete symmetries are allowed to be broken). We are interested in understanding the role of fields generated from such terms in 2D lattices like Graphene, Kagome, triangular. We tackle questions like what can give rise to flatbands? How to think about composite fermions in lattices? Can we think of wavefunctions for chiral spin liquids in 2D spin-lattices?
Transitions in Bi2Se3 leading to chiral-spin waves.
Photo credit: Image from our PRL 119, 136802 (2017).
Matching theory of strongly interacting electrons and a (Raman) scattering experiment.
Non-standard Hoffstadter butterfly in Kagome lattice.
Photo credit: Our figure was featured in PRB Kaleidoscope.
