Dr. Dominik Maximilian Juraschek joined the faculty of the School of Physics and Astronomy as a Senior Lecturer in fall 2021. He studies hidden states of matter that can be induced in quantum materials through light-induced dynamical and in particular vibrational (phononic) processes. Dr. Juraschek uses a combination of computational and theoretical methods to describe nonlinear dynamics of the crystal lattice in a broad range of solid-state systems, including complex oxides, van der Waals materials, and low-dimensional dielectrics and magnets.
Research achievements include: Prediction of various nonlinear phononic excitation mechanisms that have subsequently been verified experimentally; prediction of the existence of phonon magnetic moments as a result of dynamical multiferroicity; creation of a theoretical framework for coherent coupling of phonons and magnetism (“phono-magnetism”).
Future directions include: Expanding the theory of nonlinear phononics as a basis for dynamical materials engineering; developing a nonlinear phononics code and platform; controlling electronic angular momentum through coupling of lattice, spin, and orbital degrees of freedom; investigating novel hybrid light-matter states (polaritons) and tuning them in optical cavities.
