معرفی
Professor Joshua Alexander Folk is a Full Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Science. He leads the Quantum Devices Group, conducting research on electronic properties of nanoscale quantum circuits using semiconductor platforms and van der Waals heterostructures. His work focuses on ultra-low temperature measurements (0.01K to 1K) where quantum mechanical effects dominate electronic transport.
Professor Folk's educational background includes:
- Bachelor's Degree: Stanford University
- Doctoral Degree: Stanford University
His research centers on quantum electronic phenomena in low-dimensional systems, with expertise in entropy measurement techniques for mesoscopic circuits and exploration of emergent electronic phenomena in van der Waals heterostructures. The research spans quantum transport in 2D materials, topological states, strongly correlated systems, and quantum thermodynamics. His group develops novel measurement techniques to probe quantum systems at the nanoscale, with particular emphasis on entropy as a tool to understand interacting quantum circuits and phase transitions.
Professor Folk's recent publications reveal a strong focus on twisted graphene systems, particularly moiré superlattices that host exotic quantum states including topological insulators and superconductivity. His work bridges fundamental quantum physics with potential applications in quantum information processing, with significant contributions to understanding quantum thermodynamics in nanoscale systems. The research often involves international collaborations to investigate novel electronic states in engineered 2D materials.
Professor Folk's major scientific awards include:
- Department of Defense Graduate Research Fellowship (1998-2002)
- Stanford Graduate Fellowship (2002-2003)
- Pappalardo Postdoctoral Fellowship (2003-2004)
- Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship (2010-2012)
- CRC Tier II Chair (2005-)
Professor Folk actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students in the Quantum Devices Group. His current PhD students include Zhenxiang Gao (focusing on magnetotransport in twisted double bilayer graphene), Vahid Movahed (working on entropy measurements in GaAs heterostructures), and Elena Cornick (working on GaAs heterostructures). Undergraduate researchers include Raveel Tejani (measuring entropy in fractional quantum Hall states) and Ray Su (fabricating van der Waals heterostructures with graphene and WSe2). He has secured significant research funding through his Canada Research Chair and collaborative grants with the Quantum Computing Research Cluster and Quantum Matter Institute.
The Quantum Devices Group operates in rooms 245 and 111 of the Brimacombe Building and room 101 of the Hennings building on UBC's Vancouver campus. The group utilizes advanced nanofabrication facilities and ultra-low temperature measurement systems to investigate quantum phenomena. They have pioneered techniques for direct entropy measurement in quantum systems, which has become a signature capability. The lab maintains strong international collaborations, particularly with institutions working on quantum materials and quantum information processing.
