Grant: Canada Research Chairs

The Information Age, propelled by Moore's Law—which predicts the doubling of transistors on a microchip approximately every two years, thereby increasing computational power—has ushered in unprecedented technological advancements. However, we are now confronting fundamental limits due to physical and economic constraints in continually miniaturizing silicon-based technologies. As the Canada Research Chair in Quantum Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. Hang Chi aims to overcome the intrinsic limitations of conventional semiconductor technologies by pioneering next-generation computational and communicative mechanisms, harnessing advancements in magnetic quantum materials and interfaces. Dr. Chi’s research team will (i) synthesize high-quality magnetic topological and superconducting crystals and thin film heterostructures, (ii) fabricate customized microscale and nanometer-sized devices, and (iii) perform magneto-thermo-electrical transport measurements at cryogenic temperatures and high magnetic fields to better understand their functionalities. To gain deeper insights into the fundamentals of magnetic surfaces and interfaces, and to promote application deployment, Dr. Chi’s group will also leverage an extensive network of collaboration with leading experts in neutron, muon, scanning and tunneling techniques at major government laboratories, as well as national and international user facilities. Using these techniques, Dr. Chi’s group will develop novel magnetic platforms with atomically engineered interfaces, which will in turn push the resolution and sensitivity of these advanced characterization capabilities. This research program will provide state-of-the-art training for highly qualified personnel at the forefront of quantum materials and devices research, for the quantum-capable Canadian future workforce. The Chi group strives to uncover and exploit new phenomena emerging at magnetically hybridized topological and superconducting interfaces. The research is expected to lead efforts in (a) proximitized topological interfaces for magnetic memory and logic with high performance and energy efficiency, as well as (b) magnetic interface modulated superconducting diode components in integrated quantum circuits for practical quantum information processing and computing. These scientific and technological developments will sustain economic growth and enhance Canada's global competitiveness.