Roel Tempelaar

Research Interests

Our group seeks to unravel how quantum mechanics dictates the optical and dynamical properties of biologically relevant and emerging materials. In many such materials, a multitude of components such as electrons, nuclei, and optical modes interact, resulting in behavior that seems nontrivial based on known fundamental principles. Examples can be found in the light-to-energy conversion in photosynthesis, charge interactions in semiconducting atomic monolayers, and the hybridization of photons and electronic states inside nano cavities. By developing new numerical and analytical tools we make such behavior comprehensible, while advancing our fundamental understanding of the chemistry and physics at the nano scale. Our research benefits from collaborations with experimentalists, especially those applying optical techniques to study dynamical phenomena on-the-fly. Students in our group have the opportunity to gain a deep understanding of quantum mechanics, algebraic tools, data analysis, and programming.

Learn more