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MengXing Na
Research topic
Coherent control of ultrafast dynamics of materials studied with time and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy
Faculty
Research supervisor(s)
Home Town
Edmonton
Country
Canada
Selected Award(s)
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
I was exposed to research in physics as an undergraduate student and found that I really enjoyed the academic environment, and the way questions always spawned more questions. There is no better place than graduate studies to be able to single-mindedly pursue answers to the questions that are asked.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
The University of British Columbia is one of the best schools in Canada, and as such, it attracts many members from the international community of academics. Alongside an excellent education, one receives rich opportunities to network and collaborate with academics around the world. In addition, UBC is set amongst oceans and mountains and Vancouver is a beautiful place to live.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
My program gives me many opportunities to present my work abroad!
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
I like how people in Vancouver take advantage of the mountains and oceans. There are always many places to go and fun things to do in nature!
UBC is one of the best schools in Canada, and as such, it attracts many members from the international community of academics. Alongside an excellent education, one receives rich opportunities to network and collaborate with academics around the world.
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
Rock climbing.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Keep a good work-life balance!
Learn more about MengXing's research
Electronic technology has exploded over the past century and changed the way of human life forever. Today, synthetically grown materials exhibit a host of new and exciting physical characteristics that have the potential to revolutionize the world again. These "quantum materials" include high-temperature superconductors (SC), topological insulators (TI), Dirac and Weyl semimetals and much more. The key to understanding and controlling conventional and quantum materials is knowledge of how their electrons behave. Time and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (TR-ARPES) is a powerful technique that uses ultrafast lasers to directly measure the electron dynamics in response to an excitation. By characterizing and learning to control these dynamics, we move towards utilizing these new powerful material properties in technological devices.