2D & SCM Lab Bilkent UNAM · METU Physics
Research

What we work on.

We operate at the intersection of low-dimensional materials, quantum transport, and strongly correlated phenomena — combining a custom real-time CVD platform with scanning-probe and transport measurements spanning 1.6 K to 400 K.

Theme 01

Novel materials discovery.

We have developed a new chemical-vapor-deposition modality — real-time optical CVD — that lets us watch crystals nucleate and grow as they form. By coupling optical diagnostics into the CVD furnace itself we can identify, quench, and recover the transient phases that conventional growth misses entirely.

This approach has enabled the discovery of novel two-dimensional quantum materials, the conditional growth of monolayer crystals, and fine control over stoichiometry in metastable phases.

Representative outputs

  • Real-time optical observation and control of monolayer TMD synthesis — Nanoscale (2019)
  • Synthesis of V2O3 nanoplates for the correlated supercritical state — Phys. Rev. B (2019)
  • CVD synthesis of thin Mo2C crystals — J. Am. Ceram. Soc. (2020)
  • In-situ growth of single-crystalline AgI nanoflakes — J. Mater. Chem. C (2025)
Theme 02

Photoresponse of low-dimensional materials.

We use scanning photocurrent microscopy in conjunction with substrate engineering and atomic-scale microscopy to disentangle the mechanisms that govern the photoresponse of semiconducting, metallic, and topological-insulator low-dimensional materials.

By engineering the dielectric environment beneath flakes — or by measuring the same crystal on different substrates — we can isolate photo-thermal, photovoltaic, and Seebeck contributions and give each a quantitative weight.

Representative outputs

  • Single-material MoS2 thermoelectric junction — npj 2D Mater. Appl. (2023)
  • Plasmon-enhanced photoresponse of Ag nanowires — Nanoscale Horizons (2022)
  • Thermal conductivity of nanosheets via the bolometric effect — 2D Materials (2020)
  • An AFM-based thermal-conductivity method — Int. J. Heat Mass Transf. (2025)
Theme 03

Phase transitions in correlated low-D materials.

Classical and quantum phase transitions in low-dimensional materials offer a fundamental window into how phases of matter emerge. We probe ion-driven, electric-field-driven, and thermally driven transitions in layered oxides and chalcogenides — and translate that fundamental understanding into prospective applications such as neuromorphic switches and ionic memristors.

Representative outputs

  • Electric-field-induced reversible phase transitions in a spontaneously ion-intercalated 2D metal oxide — Nano Letters (2021)
  • Ion-transport-induced room-temperature insulator–metal transition in single-crystalline Cu2Se — Nanoscale Horizons (2024)
  • Sodium-intercalated ultra-thin layered MnO2 — Nanoscale (2025)
  • Electrolyte-free K+ intercalation for spatiotemporal neural dynamics — Materials Today (2025)
Theme 04

Excitons in 2D semiconductors and heterostructures.

We study the exciton photo-physics of two-dimensional semiconducting transition-metal dichalcogenides — with a particular interest in how the substrate engineers exciton dynamics and photoluminescence. Spacer-free metallic screening, dielectric environment tuning, and twisted heterobilayers are the levers we pull.

Representative outputs

  • Photoluminescence enhancement via spacer-free metallic screening — npj 2D Mater. Appl. (2025)
  • Ultra-narrow-linewidth photo-emitters in polymorphic Se nanoflakes — Small (2022)
  • Conditional CVD growth of MoS2 monolayers — J. Phys.: Materials (2024)
  • Nonlinear optical properties of CVD-synthesized CuS crystals — APL Materials (2024)
Infrastructure

Facilities and capabilities.

Chemical vapor deposition

Conventional clam-shell CVD and our in-house real-time optical CVD platform.

2D heterostructure fabrication

In-house transfer and assembly of twisted and lattice-mismatched heterostructures.

Electronic transport, 1.6–400 K

DC and lock-in transport in cryostats with superconducting magnets.

Scanning photocurrent microscopy

Diffraction-limited spatial mapping of photoresponse at room temperature.

AFM and AFM variants

Topography, KPFM, conductive AFM, and tuning-fork-based modalities in-house.

Clean-room access

Optical & e-beam lithography, evaporation, DRIE, ALD, PECVD — through UNAM.

Support

Funding & awards.

11 external grants as PI · ~€2M total

Supported and hosted by

TÜBİTAK BAGEP — Science Academy METU Parlar Foundation Bilkent UNAM Middle East Technical University
Year Role Source Approx. amount
2025 Awardee METU Parlar Incentive Award 2025 -
2025 Awardee TÜBİTAK Incentive Award in Physics 2025 ~$50,000
2025 PI TÜBİTAK 1001 (active) ~$100,000
2023 PI TÜBİTAK 1001 (active) ~$100,000
2022 PI TÜBİTAK 1001 ~$100,000
2021 Awardee BAGEP Award · Academy of Science ~$10,000
2021 Adv. TÜBİTAK 1002 (PI: H. R. Rasouli) ~$10,000
2020 Co-PI TÜBİTAK 1004 ~$100,000
2020 PI TÜBİTAK · S. Korea Bilateral Call ~$100,000
2020 Advisor TÜBİTAK 1001 ~$150,000
2018 PI TÜBİTAK 1001 ~$150,000
2018 PI TÜBİTAK 1512 ~$30,000
2017 PI TÜBİTAK 1001 ~$130,000
2016 Co-PI Ministry of Development — UNAM Infrastructure ~$7,500,000
2015 PI TÜBİTAK 3501 ~$100,000
2014 PI TÜBİTAK · COST Action ~$150,000