Experimentally manipulating superconducting states in quantum materials is crucial for advancing both fundamental physics and future technologies. However, two major challenges persist: the inherent complexity of quantum materials and the elusive microscopic mechanisms behind superconductivity. In this talk, I will present our recent work on the investigation of superconductivity in 3d transition metal oxynitride Ti[O,N] thin films and FeSe monolayers on oxide substrates. By combining molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) high-precision material synthesis with density functional theory (DFT) atomistic-level simulations, we address key material challenges, providing insights into the low-energy electronic and magnetic structures, as well as the interfacial couplings critical to electron pairing. Importantly, we have designed and conducted experiments that reveal the key physical parameters governing superconducting quantum states, offering realistic experimental avenues for achieving materials with potentially higher Tc.

Fengmiao Li, a Research Scientist at the Hefei National Laboratory (HFNL), obtained his PH.D degree in condensed matter physics from the Institute of Physics (IOP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in 2014. From 2014 to 2024, he worked at the Quantum Matter Institute at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada, where he held positions as a Postdoctoral Researcher, Research Associate, and Senior Scientist. He joined the HFNL in September 2024. Dr. Li’s research has been concentrated on experimental and theoretical studies on quantum-material thin films and heterostructures with (un)conventional superconductivity.