UCSB Engineer Bolin Liao to Develop Platform for Imaging Quantum Interactions in 2D Materials

University of California, Santa Barbara, mechanical engineering professor Bolin Liao has been selected as one of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation’s 2026 Experimental Physics Investigators. This prestigious recognition provides Liao with critical support to advance his research into the fundamental interactions between light and matter at the atomic scale. The grant is part of a broader initiative designed to accelerate progress in experimental physics by offering sustained, flexible funding to mid-career scientists who are pursuing high-risk, high-reward research questions that traditional federal grants may not fully support.

Liao’s work focuses on the development of a new experimental platform that transforms scanning ultrafast electron microscopy from a purely imaging technique into a tool for controlling quantum interactions. By combining the nanoscale spatial resolution of a scanning electron microscope with the picosecond-scale time resolution of an ultrafast laser, Liao and his team have developed one of the few scanning ultrafast electron microscopes (SUEM) in the United States. This technology allows researchers to capture dynamic processes in quantum materials, effectively taking “movies” of energy transport that was previously understood only through theoretical calculations and simulations.

The central goal of Liao’s upcoming project is to study polaritons, which are light-induced excitations that form when photons interact with matter. In this specific context, the matter consists of atomically thin materials, often referred to as two-dimensional materials, whose electrons are free to interact with incoming light. Generally, electrons and photons do not interact directly in a vacuum, despite being among the most common particles encountered in the universe. However, Liao proposes that by strategically introducing quantum materials as an intermediate, it is possible to break this barrier and induce various kinds of interactions between these particles.

“We’re going to look at how electrons talk to photons in a vacuum,” Liao explained. He noted that while these particles are ubiquitous, their direct interaction in a vacuum is typically absent. The introduction of quantum materials serves as a bridge, allowing for the design of systems where electrons and photons can communicate. Liao expressed that he is very excited about this opportunity, describing it as one of the projects he is most proud of. The support from the Moore Foundation will enable him to take the technology to the next level, moving beyond observation to active control of these quantum phenomena.

The research has the potential to study moiré systems, which are configurations of two-dimensional layers of material that can generate new and promising electronic properties. According to the Moore Foundation, Liao’s work will also explore other nonequilibrium phenomena. These studies aim to lay a foundation for advances in nanoscale electron optics, quantum coherent measurement, and electron beam control. By understanding how to manipulate these interactions, researchers may gain deeper insights into the behavior of quantum materials, which are essential for cutting-edge technologies in semiconductor research and quantum computing.

Liao joins twenty other investigators who have been selected for this 2026 cohort. Each investigator will receive $1.35 million over five years to accelerate their research breakthroughs. This funding model is designed to provide the flexibility necessary for scientists to follow ideas when research results lead them down new pathways. Theodore Holdapp, program director for the Experimental Physics Investigators Initiative, stated that the foundation aims to give brilliant mid-career scientists the kind of sustained support that allows them to take on risky experiments. With nearly 100 investigators now at work under this initiative, the foundation is seeing a range of bold and original science that it hoped would be possible.

The significance of Liao’s work lies in its ability to witness, study, and eventually control interactions between atomic and subatomic particles. Although these behaviors are rapid and fleeting, they underlie some of the most advanced technologies in various fields. By directly observing these phenomena, Liao’s team has already made strides in visualizing processes such as photoexcited charges traveling across materials. The new platform will extend these capabilities, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of how light and matter interact in complex quantum systems. This shift from passive imaging to active control represents a significant leap in experimental quantum and materials sciences.

The use of scanning ultrafast electron microscopy in this context is particularly innovative because it bridges the gap between spatial and temporal resolution. Traditional microscopes may offer high spatial resolution but lack the time resolution to capture fast-moving quantum events, while ultrafast lasers provide time resolution but often lack the spatial precision needed to observe atomic-scale phenomena. Liao’s SUEM overcomes these limitations, enabling the capture of dynamic processes in real time. This capability is crucial for understanding the fundamental mechanisms that govern quantum materials, which are increasingly important in the development of next-generation electronic and photonic devices.

As Liao prepares to begin this new phase of research, the focus will be on designing materials that can properly induce interactions between electrons and photons. The strategic introduction of quantum materials as an intermediate is key to this approach. By carefully engineering these materials, researchers can create conditions where light and matter interact in novel ways. This work not only has fundamental scientific implications but also has the potential to lead to practical applications in quantum computing and other advanced technologies. The Moore Foundation’s support will be instrumental in bringing this vision to fruition, providing the resources needed to develop and test these new experimental platforms.

In summary, Bolin Liao’s selection as a 2026 Experimental Physics Investigator marks a significant milestone in the field of quantum materials science. His work to develop a platform for imaging and controlling quantum interactions with 2D materials represents a bold step forward in our ability to understand and manipulate the fundamental forces that govern the quantum world. With the support of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Liao is poised to make groundbreaking discoveries that could have far-reaching implications for both basic science and technological innovation. The project highlights the importance of sustained, flexible funding in enabling scientists to pursue high-risk, high-reward research that pushes the boundaries of what is possible in experimental physics.

Subject of Research: Tech & Engineering

Article Title: Mechanical engineer Bolin Liao to develop platform for imaging and controlling quantum interactions with 2D materials

Article References: Mechanical engineer Bolin Liao to develop platform for imaging and controlling quantum interactions with 2D materials. (n.d.). Original publication

Image Credits: AI Generated

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Keywords: Quantum Materials, Scanning Ultrafast Electron Microscopy, UC Santa Barbara, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, 2D Materials, Polaritons, Experimental Physics, Nanoscale Electron Optics, Mechanical, engineer, Bolin, Liao