A common theme underlying the projects in Parkin’s department is the creation of atomically engineered materials with novel properties. These “unnatural” materials are created by the deposition of atomically thick thin films using techniques ranging from molecular beam epitaxy, pulsed laser deposition, magnetron and ion beam sputtering to atomic layer deposition. Cognitive and spintronic materials are explored as well as research into hybrid and exotic materials ... more

New materials play a key role in addressing the society challenges and providing new opportunities. For instance, clean energy, clear water, environment protection and sustainable development require breakthrough discovery and application of exotic materials. In addition, new materials provide unique opportunities for the emerging information technology, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence, among others. more

Advances in silicon (Si) photonics have led to an unprecedented scale of photonic integration and a rapidly maturing foundry ecosystem for mass manufacturing on large (200- and 300-mm) wafers. While today’s Si photonics are focused on 1310/1550nm (O- and C-band) data/telecommunications wavelengths, achieving similar levels of photonic integration at shorter, submicrometer wavelengths (visible and near-infrared, λ < 1000nm) remains an open challenge. more