To understand why pairing photons with phonons is such a compelling frontier, it helps to consider what each carrier of energy does best. Photons, the individual quanta of light, are the undisputed champions of communication. They travel at the fastest speed physics allows, they interact only weakly with their surroundings, and they can carry information across intercontinental fiber networks with astonishing fidelity. Phonons, the quantized units of mechanical vibration, are the opposite in temperament. They move slowly, they are easily disturbed by heat, and they almost never travel far in ordinary materials. Yet those same liabilities translate into strengths: phonons can store energy in compact volumes, they couple naturally to nearly every other physical system, and their slow pace gives researchers a handle for manipulating and reading out quantum states that would otherwise be too fleeting to grasp.

The field that exploits this complementarity is known broadly as cavity optomechanics, and its central idea is to place mechanical motion inside an optical resonator so that light can exert exquisitely controlled forces on a vibrating object, while the vibration in turn modulates the light. When the interaction is strong enough, the two systems stop behaving as separate entities and become hybridized, sharing quantum states the way two coupled pendulums share energy. This hybrid regime is where the most exciting applications live. A mechanical oscillator entangled with an optical field could serve as a transducer, converting quantum information from one physical carrier to another. A phonon mode driven by light could act as an extremely narrow filter or delay line for microwave and optical signals. And a massive mechanical object cooled close to its quantum ground state becomes a laboratory for testing whether the strange rules of quantum mechanics survive at scales far larger than atoms.

Renninger’s laboratory has built its reputation on pushing these interactions into new regimes, and the Moore Foundation award will support a program that deliberately spans multiple physical platforms. Rather than confining the work to a single device geometry, the project aims to create light-driven sound devices and measurement methods that operate across integrated photonic chips, surface acoustic wave devices, and bulk crystalline resonators. Each platform occupies a different niche. Chip-scale devices offer tight confinement and strong light-matter interaction, making them ideal for signal processing and integration with existing photonics. Surface acoustic waves, which ripple along the surface of a piezoelectric crystal much like waves across a pond, provide a natural bridge between electrical circuits and mechanical motion, and Rochester researchers have previously explored their potential for future quantum networks. Bulk crystals, meanwhile, can host acoustic modes of exceptional purity, with phonons bouncing back and forth millions of times before dissipating, which is exactly the kind of long-lived storage that quantum technologies demand.

One of the most consequential goals of the program is the generation of strong, narrow-band acoustic responses for optical signal processing. Modern communication systems are straining under demand for bandwidth, and the ability to filter, route, and delay light using sound offers a route to processors that combine the speed of photonics with the selectivity of acoustics. Because phonons oscillate at frequencies many orders of magnitude below those of optical carriers, they provide a natural clockwork for manipulating light with fine spectral resolution. A device that converts an optical signal into a phonon, holds it briefly, and converts it back can function as a tunable delay line or a frequency-selective switch, capabilities that underpin everything from coherent communications to quantum information protocols that must synchronize photons arriving from different sources.

A second, more speculative thread reaches into fundamental physics: the search for ultralight dark matter. Cosmological and astrophysical evidence overwhelmingly indicates that most of the matter in the universe is invisible, interacting with ordinary matter only through gravity, yet its identity remains one of the deepest open questions in science. Among the many candidate particles proposed over the decades, ultralight bosons occupy a particularly tantalizing corner of parameter space. If they exist, they could behave less like particles and more like a faint, oscillating classical field that permeates everything, potentially exerting periodic forces on matter at extremely well-defined frequencies. Detecting such signals requires sensors of extraordinary sensitivity to vanishingly weak, narrow-band forces, and precision mechanical resonators coupled to optical readout are among the most promising architectures. Renninger’s project aims to evaluate and extend this sensitivity, potentially giving researchers a new class of instruments for listening to the faintest gravitational whispers of the dark sector.

The program also promises new tools for interrogating the materials themselves. Defects in crystals, atomic-scale imperfections that disrupt an otherwise regular lattice, play a decisive role in semiconductor technology, where they can either ruin a device or, when engineered deliberately, serve as qubits, single-photon sources, or sensors. Mapping where these defects sit, how they lose energy, and how they interact with their surroundings is notoriously difficult. Renninger envisions using light to control and measure mechanical motion as a way to reveal this hidden landscape, essentially turning acoustic and optical probes into microscopes for energy loss and imperfection. Such techniques could benefit the semiconductor industry, where understanding defect behavior is central to manufacturing, as well as the quantum community, where the coherence of spin qubits often hinges on the defect environment.

Perhaps the most conceptually ambitious aim is to build experimental platforms for testing how large mechanical systems behave near the limits of quantum physics. Quantum mechanics was developed to describe atoms and photons, yet there is no agreed-upon reason why it should fail at larger scales, and no consensus on where, if ever, the quantum-to-classical transition occurs. Massive mechanical oscillators, because they couple to so many environmental degrees of freedom, offer a clean testing ground. By cooling such oscillators toward their quantum ground state and then driving them with light, researchers can ask whether superposition and entanglement persist in objects containing trillions of atoms. Renninger’s stated ambition to broaden how researchers use light to control and measure motion in systems that are currently hard to reach speaks directly to this question, extending optomechanical techniques to platforms where they have not previously been practical.

Beyond the technical program, the Moore Foundation’s Experimental Physics Investigators Initiative is structured to amplify individual awards through collective benefit. The 21 new investigators are brought together as a cohort, with support for exchanging ideas, developing new collaborations, and investing in mentoring and professional development. For mid-career scientists, this model of flexible funding is often described as room to take risks, and it reflects a philosophy that the most transformative experiments frequently begin as questions too open-ended to survive a conventional proposal cycle. Renninger expressed gratitude for the foundation’s support of his research program, noting that his lab hopes to produce better tools for optical signal processing, new ways to map hidden defects and energy loss inside materials, and experimental platforms for probing quantum behavior in mechanical systems. The full list of 2026 investigators is available on the Moore Foundation website, and for the field of optomechanics, the award signals that the marriage of light and sound is now regarded as one of experimental physics’ most fertile frontiers.

Subject of Research: Cavity optomechanics: coupling photons and phonons for quantum sensing, signal processing, and fundamental physics

Article Title: Pairing light and sound to explore new frontiers in physics

Article References: Pairing light and sound to explore new frontiers in physics. (n.d.). Original publication

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: Not provided

Keywords: optomechanics, photons, phonons, quantum physics, surface acoustic waves, dark matter, Moore Foundation, University of Rochester, signal processing, crystal defects, quantum sensing, experimental physics

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

DOI: Not provided

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

Established in 2000 by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore and his wife, Betty, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has long been a cornerstone of scientific support, particularly in the realms of scientific discovery and environmental conservation. The Experimental Physics Investigators initiative specifically targets mid-career researchers, providing them with the resources to develop their research programs rather than focusing on single, isolated projects. This approach grants scientists the freedom to explore new ideas and adapt their research directions as new data emerges, a flexibility that is often lacking in federal grant systems. By investing in the scientists themselves, the foundation aims to foster an environment where bold, original science can thrive without the pressure of immediate, predefined outcomes.

Crider’s research focuses on some of the most neutron-rich atomic nuclei known to exist, a domain that presents significant challenges for experimental physicists. These exotic nuclei are unstable and decay rapidly, often releasing neutrons in complex patterns that are difficult to observe and measure with current technology. Understanding the decay processes of these nuclei is crucial for advancing nuclear models and improving our knowledge of how heavy elements are formed in the universe. Crider’s work seeks to unravel the intricacies of neutron emission, including the number of neutrons released and their subsequent behavior, which provides critical data for testing theoretical predictions about nuclear structure and stability.

With the support of the Moore Foundation, Crider plans to develop a new compact detector designed to track neutron interactions with unprecedented precision. This detector will address a key limitation in current experimental setups: the difficulty in distinguishing between multiple neutrons and a single neutron that interacts with the detector more than once. By resolving this ambiguity, the new technology will provide a clearer picture of neutron emission and the behavior of these unusual nuclei. The compact design of the detector also offers practical advantages, making it easier to deploy in various experimental environments and potentially allowing for the study of short-lived, rare isotopes that are difficult to produce and observe. This innovation could significantly enhance the capabilities of experimental nuclear physics, enabling researchers to gather more accurate and detailed data from their experiments.

“I’m incredibly honored to receive this award,” Crider said, reflecting on the significance of the recognition. “The ideas behind this project bring together several areas of research I’ve been working toward throughout my career, from neutron detection and nuclear decay to the development of new detector technologies. The Moore Foundation’s support gives us the freedom to bring those ideas together and try something genuinely new. If we succeed, we’ll have a new way to understand how some of the most exotic nuclei in nature decay.” Crider’s enthusiasm underscores the transformative potential of the project, which aims to bridge gaps in current knowledge and open new avenues for exploration in nuclear physics. The award not only validates his past work but also provides the resources necessary to push the field forward in meaningful ways.

Theodore Hodapp, the program director for the Experimental Physics Investigators initiative, emphasized the broader impact of the program on the landscape of experimental physics. “With nearly 100 investigators now at work, we are seeing the range of bold, original science we hoped this initiative would make possible,” Hodapp said. “From the start, our aim has been to accelerate progress at the frontier of experimental physics by giving brilliant mid-career scientists the kind of flexible, sustained support that federal grants rarely can. That freedom lets them take on risky, high-reward experiments and follow ideas when research results lead them down new pathways.” Hodapp’s comments highlight the foundation’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting scientists who are willing to take intellectual risks. The program’s success in attracting a diverse group of researchers demonstrates its effectiveness in promoting original and impactful scientific work.

Crider’s research project is a collaborative effort involving several experts from different institutions. Ron Unz, a health physicist and project manager at Mississippi State University’s Institute for Clean Energy Technology, will assist with the detector development and instrumentation aspects of the project. Unz’s expertise in health physics and project management will be instrumental in ensuring that the detector is built to the highest standards of safety and efficiency. Additionally, Julie Butler, an assistant professor of physics at the University of Mount Union, will provide support for machine learning approaches to help the team understand detector signals. Butler’s work in machine learning will be crucial for processing the complex data generated by the new detector, allowing for more accurate and rapid analysis of neutron interactions. This interdisciplinary collaboration brings together diverse skills and perspectives, enhancing the project’s potential for success.

Benjamin Crider joined Mississippi State University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy after earning his doctorate in physics from the University of Kentucky in 2014. His academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics from the University of Richmond in 2006, followed by a master’s degree in physics from the University of Kentucky in 2009. Crider’s extensive educational background and research experience have prepared him to tackle the complex challenges associated with studying neutron-rich nuclei. His selection as a Moore Foundation Investigator is a testament to his dedication and expertise in the field, as well as his ability to contribute to the advancement of nuclear physics. The award will enable him to continue his research and further develop the innovative detector technology that could have far-reaching implications for the study of exotic nuclei.

The development of the new compact detector represents a significant step forward in experimental nuclear physics, offering a more precise and efficient way to study neutron emission. By distinguishing between multiple neutrons and single neutrons that interact multiple times, the detector will provide clearer data on the behavior of neutron-rich nuclei. This improved precision will allow researchers to test nuclear models with greater accuracy and gain a deeper understanding of how heavy elements are formed. The compact design of the detector also makes it more versatile, potentially enabling the study of rare isotopes that are difficult to produce and observe. As Crider and his team work to bring this technology to fruition, the potential for new discoveries in nuclear physics grows, promising to expand our knowledge of the fundamental forces that govern the universe.

The Moore Foundation’s support of Crider’s work exemplifies the value of flexible, long-term funding in driving scientific innovation. By providing researchers with the resources to pursue their ideas without the constraints of traditional grant structures, the foundation enables them to take on risky, high-reward experiments that could lead to breakthrough discoveries. Crider’s project, with its focus on developing a new detector technology, is a prime example of how such support can foster original and impactful science. As the field of experimental physics continues to evolve, initiatives like the Experimental Physics Investigators program will play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the physical world and paving the way for future innovations. The success of Crider’s project could have far-reaching implications for nuclear physics and beyond, demonstrating the power of flexible funding in driving scientific progress.

Subject of Research: Development of a compact neutron detector for studying neutron-rich atomic nuclei

Article Title: Physicist Ben Crider selected for prestigious $1.35 million Moore Foundation Investigator Award

Article References: Physicist Ben Crider selected for prestigious $1.35 million Moore Foundation Investigator Award. (n.d.). Original publication

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: Not provided

Keywords: nuclear physics, neutron detection, atomic nuclei, experimental physics, Moore Foundation, detector technology, isotope research, nuclear decay, Physicist, Crider, selected, prestigious

The Moore Foundation’s Experimental Physics Investigator initiative is deliberately structured to fund what traditional grant programs often cannot. Launched in 2022, the program is designed to back bold new directions and ambitious, potentially high-payoff projects that might struggle to attract this level and duration of support from conventional funding sources. It plans to support roughly 120 mid-career scientists across six annual cohorts, and it is open to researchers from any scientific discipline. The only requirement is that the core science be experimental physics, a bar that Fullerton clears through work that spans chemistry, materials science, and device physics all at once.

Fullerton leads the Nanoionics and Electronics Lab at Pitt, where her group pursues an idea that sounds almost paradoxical: using ions, the charged atoms and molecules more familiar from batteries and electrolytes, as active components inside electronic devices rather than as contaminants to be eliminated. Her winning project, titled “Structure and Dynamics of Electric Double Layers on Two-Dimensional Crystals,” focuses on what happens when ions are used to control charge in transistors built from molecularly thin materials, crystals just one or a few atoms thick.

The physics at the heart of the project is subtle. When ions are brought to the surface of a two-dimensional crystal, they arrange themselves into an electric double layer, an ultrathin, densely packed sheet of charge separation that sits directly against the transistor channel. This buried structure is what allows ions to gate, or switch, the flow of electrons through the device, and it is the reason ion-controlled devices can in principle operate at extraordinarily low power. Yet despite its central role, the double layer has never been directly measured. Researchers know it exists and can infer its effects from electrical behavior, but its precise geometry and dynamics remain hidden.

That gap between inference and observation is what has made device development in this field so dependent on trial and error. According to Fullerton, it is difficult to deliberately engineer these devices without knowing precisely where the ions are located or how they move. She has spent more than twelve years building ion-controlled devices while relying on theory and indirect clues to guide the design process. “Throughout my 12 years of research, colleagues have been asking me the same question: ‘Where are the ions?'” Fullerton said. “It’s difficult to answer – it’s like trying to measure the thickness of a single sheet of paper hidden in the middle of a giant textbook, but without opening the book.”

The Moore award gives her team the resources to open that book. The project will combine neutron measurements, which offer a way to distinguish between different types of atomically light atoms, with surface probes and precise electrical measurements. Each technique provides a different view of the buried interface. Neutron scattering is particularly well suited to the problem because neutrons interact strongly with light elements such as hydrogen, lithium, and sodium, the very species that make up many of the ions used in these devices, and because they can penetrate the surrounding materials without destroying the delicate structures being studied. Layered together, the three approaches should allow the researchers to connect the ions’ physical structure and movement with the electronic behavior of the device, replacing empirical guesswork with rational design.

The motivation for pursuing ion-based computing extends beyond scientific curiosity. “Our brains process vast amounts of real-time data at a fraction of the energy required by standard silicon chips,” Fullerton said. “Next-generation AI and autonomous devices will need that same ultra-low-power efficiency to make real-time decisions at the ‘edge,’ and that’s going to require computing with ions, not just electrons.” The comparison captures the scale of the challenge. As artificial intelligence and sensing systems migrate away from centralized data centers and into autonomous vehicles, drones, medical implants, and remote sensors, the energy budget of every computation matters. Devices that move ions the way biological systems do could, in principle, approach the efficiency of neural processing in a way that conventional silicon transistors cannot.

Two-dimensional crystals are the enabling platform for this vision. Materials such as graphene and related atomically thin compounds can be stacked and combined into devices whose active regions are only molecules thick, putting every charge carrier within reach of the surface. That geometry is precisely what makes ion control so effective, and also what makes the double layer so consequential: in a device this thin, a single layer of ions can dominate the entire electronic response. Understanding where those ions sit, how densely they pack, and how quickly they rearrange under an applied voltage is therefore not a peripheral detail but the central design problem.

The award’s structure reflects the long timeline such a measurement campaign requires. Five years of sustained support, plus dedicated funding for specialized equipment, gives the Nanoionics and Electronics Lab the freedom to build instrumentation, refine sample preparation, and iterate on measurement protocols without the pressure of short funding cycles. “The Moore Award allows us to build the team needed to tackle this problem at a scale standard funding simply can’t match,” Fullerton said. “I’m really excited; I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to answer this question for more than a decade.”

Within Pitt, the recognition is being framed as a signal of where engineering research is heading. Michele V. Manuel, U. S. Steel Dean of Engineering, said Fullerton’s selection reflects both the ambition and the interdisciplinary reach of her work. “Susan asks bold questions at the boundary of chemistry, materials, and physics, and she has the creativity and the persistence to answer them,” Manuel said. “We are proud to see her recognized among the nation’s most inventive experimental scientists.” If the project succeeds, the payoff could reach far beyond a single lab: a direct picture of the electric double layer on two-dimensional crystals would give device engineers everywhere the design rules they currently lack, and could accelerate the arrival of a generation of electronics that computes with ions as readily as today’s chips compute with electrons.

Subject of Research: Direct measurement of electric double layers on two-dimensional crystals for ion-based ultra-low-power electronics

Article Title: Pitt’s Susan Fullerton named a Moore Foundation 2026 Experimental Physics Investigator

Article References: Pitt’s Susan Fullerton named a Moore Foundation 2026 Experimental Physics Investigator. (n.d.). Original publication

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: Not provided

Keywords: Susan Fullerton, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, experimental physics, electric double layer, two-dimensional crystals, nanoionics, ultra-low-power electronics, neutron measurements, transistors, edge computing, University of Pittsburgh, ion transport