Minnich Group
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Welcome to the
Minnich Group
Our group focuses on the growth and processing of thin-film electronic and quantum materials. We work at the intersection of materials science, engineering, and physics. We are part of a vibrant quantum science and engineering environment at Caltech.
Our group is committed to advancing the success of all members of our division, Caltech, and research communities.
Group News
Latest publications
Hirsh Kamakari's paper on experimental demonstration of scalable cross-entropy benchmarking to detect measurement-induced phase transitions on a superconducting quantum processor is published in Physical Review Letter
Mar 25, 2025
Ivy Chen's paper on isotropic atomic layer etching of MgO-doped lithium niobate using sequential exposures of H2 and SF6/Ar plasmas is published in Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A
Oct 11, 2024
Benjamin Hatanpää's paper on valleytronics and negative differential resistance in cubic boron nitride: A first-principles study is published in Physical Review Materials
Oct 8, 2024
Happenings
Happy to announce that group alum Haozhe Wang (now assistant professor at Duke) has been awarded an NSF CAREER award!
April 24, 2025
Congratulations to Jin Ming Koh for receiving the very prestigious Apker award from APS!
October 16, 2024
Congrats to Gabriela Corea for passing her qualifying exam!
September 27, 2024
Congrats to Ivy Chen for her paper being chosen as Editor’s Pick!
September 23, 2024
Research
Future transformative solid-state technology exploiting quantum effects such as entanglement will require new methods to grow and process highly delicate quantum materials into functioning devices. Our group’s present research focuses on inventing these methods and applying them to the fabrication of novel solid-state quantum technologies.
We are developing transistor microwave amplifiers with ultra low-noise performance into the millimeter-wave spectrum.
We are developing atomic layer etching processes which will enable subtractive manufacturing of electronic and quantum devices with atomic precision for the first time.
We are developing a new method for the epitaxial growth of thin-film quantum materials by laser-based evaporation of refractory elements.
People
Principal Investigator
Austin J. Minnich
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Physics
Professional Preparation
BS University of California Berkeley, 2006
MS Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2008
PhD Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2011
Appointments
Professor, California Institute of Technology, 2017-Present
Assistant Professor, California Institute of Technology, 2011-2017
Click here for a copy of Austin's CV
Deputy Chair, Division of E&AS, 2022 - Present
Current group members
Research scientist
Graduate students
Research scientist. PhD, Caltech Research interests: precision measurement, low-noise amplifiers, nanofabrication Joined group: 2021
BS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Research interests: thermal laser epitaxy Joined group: 2024
BTech, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi Research interests: Atomic layer etching Joined group: 2024
BS, University of Science and Technology of China Research interests: Atomic layer etching and Thermal laser epitaxy Joined group: 2024
BS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research interests: nanofabrication, low noise amplifiers Joined group: 2024
BS, University of Texas at Austin Research interests: Atomic layer etching Joined group: 2024
BS, Harvey Mudd College Research interests: Atomic layer etching Joined group: 2022
BS, University of Rochester Research interests: Low noise amplifiers, noise in semiconductors Joined group: 2022
BS, UCLA Research interests: Atomic layer processing Joined group: 2021
HBS, Oregon State University Research interests: Low-noise amplifiers, atomic layer etching Joined group: 2021
Click here to see our group alumni.
Teaching
Fall 2024
APh 105a: States of Matter
Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, with emphasis on gases, liquids, materials, and condensed matter. Effects of heat, pressure, and fields on states of matter are presented with both classical thermodynamics and with statistical mechanics. Conditions of equilibrium in systems with multiple degrees of freedom. Applications include ordered states of matter and phase transitions.
P: (626)-395-3385
F: (626)-583-4963
Minnich Lab
1200 E. California Blvd, M.C. 104-44
Pasadena, CA 91125