Research Interests:

Our laboratory employs various types of spectroscopic techniques to study low dimensional electronic systems and nano-systems. The main experimental tools used are Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Efforts are underway to couple these spectroscopic methods with strong magnetic fields, time-resolved studies and the intense THz synchrotron radiation at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Currently, there are three major areas of research:

1. Optical studies of superconductors and 2D-layered cobaltates: including high temperature superconductors and the newly discovered superconductor MgB₂. Infrared spectroscopy is ideal for the study of charge dynamics and gap properties in superconductors. Coupled with strong magnetic fields and synchrotron radiation, we are developing infrared spectroscopy into one of the major tools that would shine the light on the paring mechanisms in various kinds of superconductors.

2. Optical studies of nano-systems: these include ultra-thin films, nano-wires and nano-magnets like the single molecule magnets (SMMs). Optical spectroscopy, particularly in the THz region, provides a unique “contactless” probe to study these low-dimensional nano-systems, when traditional transport measurements are difficult or sometimes impossible to be performed.

3. Infrared and optical properties of semiconductors with applications as solid state x-ray and g-ray detectors: systems of particular interests are CdZnTe (CZT) and CdMgTe (CMT)

Research positions for undergraduate and graduate students are available. If interested, please contact Professor Tu at jtu@sci.ccny.cuny.edu or come to visit the optical spectroscopy lab in Marshak J-327.