Our group explores interfacial quantum matter, systems where the junction between distinct materials gives rise to entirely new quantum phenomena. At these interfaces, the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts, with emergent states that defy classical understanding. A particular focus lies on chiral quantum materials, where chirality emerges at interfaces or arises from inherently chiral bulk, leading to unique effects such as chiral interface states that could enable faster, more energy efficient and robust information technologies. By combining advanced micro and nanoscale spectroscopy with the synthesis of tailored materials in house and through collaborations in Germany and abroad, we aim to reveal how interfacial symmetry, chirality, topology and electronic interactions create new forms of quantum matter.
Our group is growing— join us in shaping the interfacial quantum matter of the future!
Some of our recent work
Proximity Induced Magnetic Anisotropy and Trefoil Fermiology in Monolayer FeCl2/Bi(111)
February 19, 2026
Terakawa et al., Advanced Materials 38, e21534 (2026). We show that a single atomic layer of FeCl₂ can have its magnetism radically reshaped by the surface beneath it. On Bi(111), its preferred magnetic direction flips from out-of-plane to mostly in-plane. That switch disappears in the bilayer, where FeCl₂ regains its intrinsic out-of-plane easy axis. The interface also creates metallic states, charge transfer, and a striking trefoil-like Fermi surface. The work shows that even non-magnetic substrates can powerfully engineer 2D magnets for spintronic devices.
Discovery of Kramers nodal line metals with tunable octdong and spindle-torus Fermi surfaces
December 12, 2025
Domaine et al., Nature Communications 16, 11128 (2025). Kramers nodal-line semimetals have been predicted to be parent compounds for strain-induced electronic chirality. They are also expcted to display quanitzed optical conductivity and giant light-induced anomalous Hall effects. We have now for the first time discovered such a material and demonstrated its tunability with electron filling and pressure in a family of 3R-stacked transition-metal dichalcoginides.
Date et al., Nature Communications 16, 4037 (2025). Read the story behind the paper The out-of-plane spectral function in Nb3Br8 reveals signatures of exotic dimerized Mott-insulator with an even number of electrons, which could help explain the mysterious field-free Josephson diode effect observed in this material.
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Yen et al., Nature Physics 20, 1912–1918 (2024) Read the News & Views commentary by Lee & Rappoport First observation of isotropic orbital angular momentum radiating from a band degeneracy uniformly in all directions. It could set the stage for #ChiralElectronics!
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J. Krieger et al., Nature Communications, 15 3720 (2024) Weyl type spin-momentum locking leads to spin-hedgehogs in reciprocal space that could realize more efficient memory devices
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B. Pal et al., Nature Physics 18, 1228–1233 (2022) First experimental report of finite momentum Cooper pairing as the origin of the Josephson diode effect, driven by topological interface states
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Niels B. M. Schröter et al., Science 369, 179–183 (2020), arXiv:1907.08723 Now on the cover of the DIPC annual report! Featured in the annual review of the Diamond Light Source 20/21!
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