Sunko Group

Symmetry Probes of Quantum Matter

The Symmetry Probes of Quantum Matter (SPQM) group is dedicated to understanding quantum materials, where countless interacting electrons give rise to emergent states that are greater than the sum of their parts. The group’s goal is to uncover the fundamental principles driving these phenomena, one material at a time.

Symmetry serves as a powerful organizing principle, shaping theoretical descriptions of materials, constraining their possible behaviors, and predicting functional properties. The SPQM group develops experimental methodologies that are highly sensitive to broken symmetries, using these techniques to discover, characterize, and manipulate novel quantum phenomena.

Recognizing that the manifestations of broken symmetry are material-specific, the group employs a diverse set of experimental tools attuned to various energy scales, including optics, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), and transport measurements. By integrating theoretical modeling with complementary experimental probes, they construct a comprehensive understanding of each material’s unique properties—ultimately deepening insights into the role of symmetry and topology in quantum materials more broadly.