materials theory team
RESEARCH VISION
The future of materials discovery requires accurate, computationally inexpensive, and physically motivated theoretical frameworks that consistently make quantitative connections with state-of-the-art experimental observations. NC State's Materials Theory Team aims to develop theoretical and computational models that advance our fundamental understanding of quantum systems where spectroscopy and dynamics operate outside the Born-Oppenheimer approximation and non adiabatic effects play an important role. The team's efforts will facilitate the design and development of emergent semiconducting materials that exhibit superior optoelectronic properties, optimized for a broad range of technological applications.
Light-matter interactions result in the creation of a "ZOO" of quasiaprticles. Read more about quasiparticles: Excitons, Polarons, Bipolarons, Polaron Complexes, Polaritons, Multiparticle Holstein Formalism
SCIENCE AND OUTREACH
TRAINING THE FUTURE WORKFORCE
We are excited about creating the future workforce for semiconductor technologies!
COMPASSION-DRIVEN SCIENCE
We are committed to cultivating a compassionate research environment that prioritizes mental and physical well being. Team members are encouraged to be kind and respectful and uphold scientific integrity.
TEAM LEADER: RAJA GHOSH
The Materials Theory Team operates on Quantum Mechanics! The uncertainty of Quantum Mechanics can tunnel us into a dual state! :-D
BIO: Raja was born in Jamshedpur, India, also known as "Steel city/Pittsburgh of India". He spent his childhood in Barrackpore (near Kolkata, India) and attended Modern English Academy, located right next to the historic Mangal Pandey park — the site where India's rebellion of 1857 started with the martyrdom of freedom fighter, Mangal Pandey. Following high school education, Raja moved to "God's Own Country", Kerala, India, where he obtained his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees, majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Physics, respectively, at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Thiruvananthapuram. At IISER, he synthesized Metal-Organic Frameworks in the laboratory of Professor Sukhendu Mandal. For his Ph.D. degree, Raja relocated to Philadelphia, USA where he worked under the guidance of Professor Frank Spano (Temple University) to investigate the photophysics and coherence of polarons in semiconducting polymers using vibronic Hamiltonians. Additionally, Raja was involved in a collaborative research project funded by the National Science Foundation's Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future (DMREF) program working with the groups of Professor Alberto Salleo (Stanford University) and Professor Christine Luscombe (University of Washington; currently at OIST). For his postdoctoral research, Raja joined Professor Francesco Paesani's group at the University of California, San Diego. Along with Prof. Paesani, he used molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the role of fluid mixtures in condensed phases. Starting in January 2024, Raja will lead a theory team at NC State focused on understanding the spectroscopy and dynamics of quasiparticles in emergent semiconducting materials. He is grateful to all his prior mentors and teachers, as well as his colleagues at NC State, for this opportunity. Beyond science, Raja is deeply committed to creating opportunities and training the workforce. He is enthusiastic about collaborating with like-minded individuals who share his passion!