Nanjing University, china
👨🎓Profiles
Early Academic Pursuits
Professor Yi Zhang's academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from the prestigious Peking University (2002–2006). Demonstrating early promise, he pursued a Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics at the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2006–2011), under the supervision of Prof. Qi-Kun Xue. His formative academic years were marked by a deep immersion in solid-state physics, particularly focusing on advanced material growth techniques and surface science.
Professional Endeavors
After earning his doctorate, Prof. Zhang embarked on a globally collaborative postdoctoral fellowship (2011–2015), jointly hosted by the Advanced Light Source (ALS) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences (SIMES), under the mentorship of renowned physicist Prof. Zhi-Xun Shen. In 2015, he returned to China as a full Professor at the School of Physics, Nanjing University, where he began to lead his own independent research group.
Contributions and Research Focus
Prof. Zhang's research is at the forefront of experimental condensed matter physics. His work combines molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) to explore the electronic properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials, topological insulators, and magnetic materials. Notable achievements include the MBE growth and ARPES characterization of topological Dirac semimetals (Na₃Bi), topological crystalline insulators (SnTe (111)), and 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (MoSe₂, WSe₂, NbSe₂). His pioneering studies on the band structure transitions in 2D materials and topological systems have significantly advanced our understanding of quantum materials at the atomic scale.
Impact and Influence
Professor Zhang is widely recognized for his influential scientific output. He was named a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher in 2023, a testament to the global impact of his publications across multiple disciplines. In 2011, his research was ranked among the Top 100 Most Cited Chinese Papers Published in International Journals, highlighting his early influence in the field. His role as Principal Scientist in China's National Key R&D Program further cements his leadership in cutting-edge materials science.
Academic Cites and Honors
His prolific output has earned numerous prestigious honors:
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2023 Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (Cross-Field)
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2015 National Program for Thousand Young Talents of China
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2020 & 2017 Jiangsu Province High-Level Talent Programs
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2011 Top 100 Most Cited Chinese Papers
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Chinese Academy of Sciences & Institute of Physics Student Excellence Awards (2010)
These accolades reflect both the depth and breadth of his academic influence.
Technical Skills
Prof. Zhang is an expert in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), mastering the growth of complex thin-film materials with atomic precision. His skill in angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) enables him to probe electronic band structures and surface states with remarkable clarity. Additionally, his early work included scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) studies, demonstrating his versatility across multiple surface science techniques.
Teaching and Mentorship
As a professor at Nanjing University, Prof. Zhang is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of physicists. He combines rigorous training in experimental methods with a forward-thinking perspective on quantum materials, offering students and postdocs a rich, interdisciplinary research environment. Many of his mentees go on to pursue successful academic and research careers.
Legacy and Future Contributions
Prof. Yi Zhang stands at the intersection of innovation and impact. His research group continues to push the boundaries of quantum materials science, with a strong emphasis on emerging 2D magnetic and topological systems. As materials physics enters an era of quantum information and next-gen electronics, Prof. Zhang’s ongoing and future work promises to shape fundamental understanding and inspire transformative technologies.
Notable Publications
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Title: Discovery of a Three-Dimensional Topological Dirac Semimetal, Na₃Bi
Authors: Z.K. Liu, B. Zhou, Y. Zhang, Z.J. Wang, H.M. Weng, D. Prabhakaran, S.-K. Mo, et al.
Journal: Science
Year: 2014
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Title: Giant Bandgap Renormalization and Excitonic Effects in a Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Semiconductor
Authors: M.M. Ugeda, A.J. Bradley, S.F. Shi, H. Felipe, Y. Zhang, D.Y. Qiu, W. Ruan, et al.
Journal: Nature Materials
Year: 2014
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Title: Crossover of the Three-Dimensional Topological Insulator Bi₂Se₃ to the Two-Dimensional Limit
Authors: Y. Zhang, K. He, C.-Z. Chang, C.-L. Song, L.-L. Wang, X. Chen, J.-F. Jia, et al.
Journal: Nature Physics
Year: 2010
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Title: Direct Observation of the Transition from Indirect to Direct Bandgap in Atomically Thin Epitaxial MoSe₂
Authors: Y. Zhang, T.-R. Chang, B. Zhou, Y.-T. Cui, H. Yan, Z. Liu, F. Schmitt, et al.
Journal: Nature Nanotechnology
Year: 2014
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Title: Topological Quantum Compiling with Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Yuan-Hang Zhang, Pei-Lin Zheng, Yi Zhang*, Dong-Ling Deng*
Journal: Physical Review Letters
Year: 2020