Professor Xiao works in experimental condensed matter physics with a focus on nanoscale materials. He has been studying spintronics, an emerging field that harnesses the electron's spin to create new electronic devices. He directs research toward the understanding of issues in spintronics, which are both fundamental and essential to applications. He has developed a method to visualize the flow of electrical current through very small wires. The technique is being applied to the quality control of integrated circuits.

Professor Xiao's Group Website

Professor Xiao's research is focused on nanoscale magnetism and spintronics, in particular, magnetic tunneling junctions, superlattices, and granular and self-assembled systems. The objective is to investigate and solve outstanding physics problems that are both basic and essential to applications. He has developed reliable fabrication processes leading to excellent magnetic nanostructures. He has explored magnetotransport in these novel magnetic systems, in particular, the properties of magnetoresistance (MR) and extraordinary Hall effect (EHE). These systems have been found to offer enhanced magnetotransport properties. The subject of magnetic interactions has been studied with the purposes of engineering magnetic switching fields and achieving large MR and EHE at low magnetic fields. His research has led to a more comprehensive understanding of properties of nanoscale magnetic systems.

Nanoscale spintronics is important to the future competitiveness of the semiconductor industry in the United States. Professor Xiao's project has supported many graduate students. He has also investigated magnets and quantum spin dependent phenomena in nanometer sized magnets assembled in arrays through self-assembly processes and embedded in metals. In these new systems, many physical properties defy interpretations using traditional theoretical understanding. His research is designed to foster better understanding of the physics involved and to develop a reliable fabrication process. His research has benefited the high-tech industries, helping them to overcome roadblocks that impede the advancement toward smaller, thinner, faster, and cost-effective devices.

Selected research grants of Professor Gang Xiao:
National Science Foundation "Nanoscale Magnetism and Spintronics", $330,000, 7/2003-6/2006.
National Science Foundation "Physics of Magnetoelectronic Microstructures", $300,000, 4/2000-3/2003.
NSF "Ultrafast Dynamics and Micromagnetics in Magnetic Tunneling Junctions", $456,000, 10/1997-9/2000.
National Science Foundation "Physics of Normal Metal-Superconductor Microstructures", $260,000, 3/1995-2/2000.
National Science Foundation "NSF Young Investigator Award", $317,500, 8/1992-7/1998.
National Science Foundation "Physics of Novel Superconducting Structures", $205,000, 8/1991-4/1995.

R. S. Keizer, S. T. B. Goennenwein, T. M. Klapwijk, G. X. Miao, Gang Xiao, A. Gupta, "A triplet supercurrent through the half-metallic ferromagnet CrO2", Nature 439, 825 (2006).

W.F. Shen, D. Mazumdar, X.J. Zou, X.Y. Liu, B.D. Schrag, and Gang Xiao, "Effect of film roughness in MgO-based magnetic tunnel junctions", Appl. Phys. Lett. 88, 182508 (2006).

Weifeng Shen, Xiaoyong Liu, Dipanjan Mazumdar, and Gang Xiao "In situ detection of single micron-sized magnetic beads using magnetic tunnel junction sensors", Appl. Phys. Lett. 86, 253901 (2005).

X.Y. Liu, D. Mazumdar, B.D. Schrag, W. Shen, and Gang Xiao "Magnetization reversal of submicrometer Co rings with uniaxial anisotropy via scanning magnetoresistance microscopy", Phys. Rev. B 70, 14407 (2004).

L. Ritchie, Gang Xiao, Yi Ji, T.Y. Chen, C.L. Chien, M. Zhang, J. Chen, Z. Liu, G.H. Wu, and X.X. Zhang "Magnetic, structural, and transport properties of the Heusler alloys Co2MnSi and NiMnSb", Phys. Rev. B 68, 104430 (2003).

Qiang Zhang, A.V. Nurmikko, A. Anguelouch, Gang Xiao, A. Gupta, "Coherent magnetization rotation and control by ultrashort optical pulses in CrO2 thin films", Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 177402 (2002).

Y. Ji, G. J. Strijkers, F.Y. Yang, C.L. Chien, J.M. Beyers, A. Anguelouch, Gang Xiao, and A. Gupta, "Determination of intrinsic spin polarization of ferromagnets with point-contact Andreev reflection", Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 5585 (2001).

S. Ingvarsson, Gang Xiao, R. Wanner, P. Trouilloud, Yu Lu, W.J. Gallagher, A. Marley, K. P. Roche, S.S.P. Parkin, "Low frequency magnetic noise in magnetic tunneling junctions", Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 3289 (2000)

C.L. Canedy, X.W. Li, and Gang Xiao, "Extraordinary Hall effect and magnetic properties of Co/Pt superlattices", Phys. Rev. B 62, 508 (2000).

2010 Inducted Member, Johns Hopkins Society of Scholars
2006 Fellow, American Physical Society
1997-99 IBM Partnership Award (Nationwide competition)
1996 IBM Invention Achievement Award
1994 Outstanding Young Researcher Award of the Overseas Chinese Physics Association.
1992 NSF Young Investigator Award
1990 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow.
1988 Ph.D. granted with distinction, The Johns Hopkins University.
1988 Phi Beta Kappa
1986 Graduate Student Award, Materials Research Society.

Fellow of the American Physical Society
Member, American Physical Society

Professor Xiao has taught all levels of physics in various sub-fields to undergraduate and graduate students. He has taught both theoretical and experimental courses. Currently, he is developing a course to introduce graduate students to recent topics in condensed matter physics. It will cover topics such as superconductivity, magnetism and spintronics, nanotechnology, and physics applied to financial activities. Some courses taught are listed below.