Exciton Dynamics in Quantum Materials
Name of applicant
Simon Vendelbo Bylling Jensen
Title
Postdoctoral Fellow
Institution
Aarhus University
Amount
DKK 2,108,408
Year
2025
Type of grant
Reintegration Fellowships
What?
I will investigate the microscopic entity known as an “exciton”, which governs how materials absorb, emit, and transfer energy. I will uncover how excitons form, move, interact, and break apart; how quantum principles shape them; and how to control them with light. I will unravel how excitons can become a key control knob to unlock robust quantum phenomena in the new class of quantum materials.
Why?
Excitons are key to many modern technologies and are unusually diverse across various quantum materials; yet, we urgently lack predictive tools to understand and control them under realistic conditions. Closing this gap will unlock pathways for quantum-enhanced sensing, information technologies, as well as grant new ways to achieve on-demand control of material properties with light.
How?
I will develop a quantum simulation program that accurately tracks excitons in real time, while describing how their quantum environment shapes them. Combining complementary theories and utilizing supercomputer facilities, I will perform world-first exciton simulations of realistic quantum material settings. My results and simulation program will be released as open source for the benefit of all.