We study how topological indices control and constrain electron transport across heterointerfaces, leading to unconventional switching in quantum materials such as mono and bilayer graphene, topological insulators, Dirac and Weyl semi-metals, and skyrmions in thin magnets.
We encode non-volatile memory in ultrasmall solitonic excitations in magnets, driven by spin-orbit torque. We study suitable materials (e.g. Heusler alloys) for better magnetic properties, interesting dynamics like self-focusing, and applications like temporal nano-magnetic memory.
Can we beat the Boltzmann limit? Can we compute like a brain?
TunnelFETs, NEMFETs and Klein tunnelFETs beat the Boltzmann switching limit if we control higher order processes. Stochastic neurons excel in analog, brain-inspired temporal processing like Kalman filtering and stochastic computing.
What are the physical limits of single photon sensing?
We study the materials physics for Mid-Wave IR detectors based on Pb salts and HCT, and III-V digital superlattice avalanche photodiodes. In particular, we show how inserting minigaps through material engineering can improve their gain-bandwidth product.
We study the physics of thermal impedance matching across rough interfaces, and how an antireflection coating can be effective in 3-D in presence of diffusive and incoherent scattering.