From left, IIR Director-General Koyama, Specially Appointed Associate Professor Hena Das, Professor Azuma

<Field of Specialization>

Condensed matter and materials science theory

<Brief introduction of collaborative research and aims at WRHI>

As a theoretical condensed matter physicist, my interest is focused around the structure and properties of solids that have a utilitarian worth in our everyday life. The primary goal of my research is to understand the complex interplay between the lattice structure, materials chemistry and various microscopic degrees of freedom of electrons in solids that lead to the emergence of various quantum phenomena, such as superconductivity, ferromagnetism, ferroelectricity, magnetoelectricity, colossal magnetoresistivity and magneto optical effects. In my research work, I employ a combination of theoretical tools like, Density Functional Theory (DFT) based electronic structure methods, group theoretic techniques, microscopic models and various Monte Carlo simulation techniques. The solution of this fundamental challenge of condensed matter physics and materials science is the natural first step in the designing of new materials with new and/or enhanced functionalities. I am, in particular, interested in the class of complex oxides and chalcogenides. My research group will focus on three major research areas, (1) Development of a fundamental understanding of the role of atomic order/disorder on the properties of materials, (2) High-throughput search for new electronic materials for energy applications, (3) Simulation of properties of materials at different length scale. Our research activities will endeavor to address a wide variety of emergent properties of quantum materials, such as magnetoelectricity, ferroelectricity, exotic magnetism, physics of phase transitions and spin-orbit physics.

The nature of my work is highly collaborative, with a tight feedback loop between first-principles predictions, synthesis of candidate materials, and advanced characterization of emergent properties. At the Tokyo Institute of Technology, I am looking forward to working in collaboration with the experimental group led by Prof. Masaki Azuma and other groups working on related areas.

<Collaborative Researcher>

Dr. Masaki Azuma(Professor, Laboratory for Materials and Structures, IIR, Tokyo Tech)