Luca has recently started his new position as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, marking another significant step in his promising academic career. His appointment follows two years of postdoctoral research with Prof. Charles Marcus at the Center for Quantum Devices, University of Copenhagen, where he made significant contributions to quantum physics in superconductor/semiconductor hybrid materials.

Luca earned his PhD at RWTH Aachen University, completing a doctoral thesis titled Gate-defined quantum dots in bilayer graphene under the supervision of Prof. Christoph Stampfer. His academic journey has been distinguished by multiple awards, including a Fulbright Fellowship, which allowed him to undertake research at Harvard University. Over the course of his career, he has authored 53 publications, 22 of which as first author.

To introduce him to our academic community, we posed several questions to learn more about his research, his aspirations for building a new lab, his perspective on working with students, and his interests beyond academia.

Luca, first of all, welcome to the University of Vienna! Could you tell us a little bit more about your research interests?

Thank you! I’m very excited to be here. The research in our new lab focuses on quantum transport and electronic properties in low-dimensional materials such as graphene and bilayer graphene. These materials are merely a single atomic layer thick and exhibit extraordinary electronic properties, making them ideal platforms to study fundamental physics and develop novel quantum technologies. We are especially interested in the interplay between superconductivity, strong electronic correlations, and spin-valley physics in these materials. By studying their electronic transport properties, we aim to deepen our understanding of electronic correlations in mesoscopic devices and explore how these can be harnessed for future quantum devices.

What are your immediate plans at the Faculty of Physics?

We are currently in the process of establishing our cutting-edge laboratory for exploring quantum transport in low-dimensional materials. In the next few months, we will complete our laboratory by setting up a new dilution refrigerator that allows studying electronic properties at cryogenic temperatures down to 10 millikelvin and at high magnetic fields.  
I’m very excited to bring the new lab to life together with curious and motivated students and researchers who are passionate about pushing the boundaries of our current state of knowledge in condensed matter physics.
Additionally, I am looking forward to conveying the physics of low-dimensional electronic systems and strong electronic correlations to our students in dedicated special courses that bridge fundamental textbook physics and cutting-edge research.
 
What are you looking for in a potential master student?

I value curiosity, creativity, and a strong drive to explore the unknown. A great master student doesn’t need to have all the answers but should ask thoughtful questions and approach challenges with determination. I’m looking for students who enjoy working experimentally in close collaboration with our theory friends and are eager to develop new skills in nanofabrication, cryogenics, and quantum transport measurements. Most importantly, I want to work with people who are motivated to support each other and contribute to a collaborative and enjoyable research environment.
 
What are your interests outside of academia?

In my spare time, I enjoy recharging through road cycling or rowing and I am looking forward to exploring the surroundings of Vienna by bike. Having moved to the most liveable city on the planet, I am looking forward to exploring Vienna’s rich cultural scene and immersing myself in the city’s art, music, and history.

Thank you, Luca. Your research sounds fascinating, and we’re excited to see what you’ll achieve here at the University of Vienna. Welcome again!

Thank you so much! I’m thrilled to be part of this community and look forward to collaborating with colleagues and students here at the Faculty of Physics.