Professor Stefan Zollner
The group of Professor Zollner measures the refractive index and absorption coefficients of solid materials and thin layers from the far-infrared to the vacuum-ultraviolet spectral region to learn about vibrational and electronic properties of materials. Our understanding of these properties aids in the design of advanced optical devices, for example optical filters, detectors, and semiconductor lasers. For more information, see our internal web page http://femto.nmsu.edu.
In Professor Zollner's lab you will also find a state-of-the-art x-ray diffractometer which is used to study atomic spacing, bond angles, and other crystalline properties.
Dr. Ludi Miao’s research focuses on the design and synthesis of novel thin-film materials with tailored quantum and electronic properties. His work explores how carefully engineered materials can exhibit exotic phenomena such as magnetism, superconductivity, and topological states of matter. By controlling material growth at the atomic scale, his group seeks to discover new physical behaviors and understand the fundamental mechanisms that give rise to them.
The goal of this research is to design solid-state materials with specific, controllable properties, enabling advances in emerging technologies. These include applications in quantum computing, information storage, and next-generation electronic devices, where quantum and topological effects can dramatically improve performance. Dr. Miao’s work bridges condensed matter physics, materials science, and device engineering, combining experimental thin-film synthesis with advanced characterization techniques to push the frontier of functional quantum materials.
