Xiaoqian Chen, a physicist and beamline scientist at the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II), has been named one of 91 early career scientists to receive research funding from the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science’s Early Career Research Program. This support will aid her in studying quantum mechanics and how particles interact to share information.
“Investing in cutting-edge research and science is a cornerstone of DOE's mission and essential to maintaining America’s role as a global innovation leader,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The Biden-Harris administration is funding scientists and researchers at our nation’s national labs and universities, early in their careers, ensuring they have the resources to expand scientific discovery and pursue solutions to some of the most complex questions.”
Chen will receive five years of funding for her work on quantum correlations in condensed matter at NSLS-II’s Coherent Hard X-ray Scattering (CHX) beamline. Her research aims to explore interactions within quantum systems that classical physics cannot explain. Unlike classical physics, where particles act independently, quantum many-body systems feature entangled particles whose behaviors are interlinked.
“When two particles are quantum entangled,” explained Chen, “if you know the information from one particle, you know the information from the other. People have been trying to detect and quantify quantum entanglement in condensed matter systems – systems with about 100 sextillion electrons. Researchers have successfully demonstrated entanglement within a small number of particles, but the idea of my proposal is to extend that to real materials using a technique called coherent X-ray scattering."
Chen's previous experience includes postdoctoral roles in Brookhaven’s Condensed Matter Physics & Materials Science Department before she was appointed at CHX.
“This project focuses on one of the Lab’s high-priority research initiatives,” explained Andrei Fluerasu, lead beamline scientist at CHX. “Xiao's research takes direct advantage of the unmatched properties of the NSLS-II source paired with the unique features of the beamline to provide a new window into the nanoscale behavior of quantum materials."
The Early Career Research Program supports researchers at critical stages in their careers. Chen emphasized both the importance of this award and the benefits gained through preparing for it.
“It’s really important for all early career scientists to prepare a solid proposal,” said Chen. “Creating it can help clarify the direction of a scientist’s career... What really matters... is having that plan laid out in front you."
Since its inception, DOE’s Early Career Research Program has made 961 funding awards across various institutions.
Eligibility for this award requires researchers to be untenured assistant or associate professors or full-time employees at DOE national laboratories who received their Ph.D.s within the past decade. Research topics must align with one of eight major program offices under DOE Office of Science.
This year’s awardees were selected based on peer review by outside experts, with final details subject to grant negotiations between DOE and recipients.