Dr. Mingyun Yuan Recognized as an Emerging Leader in JPhysD Special Issue

Dr. Mingyun Yuan, a scientist in the Semiconductor Spectroscopy department at the Paul Drude Institute for Solid State Electronics (PDI), has been recognized as an Emerging Leader in the latest special issue of Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics (JPhysD). This acknowledgment reflects Dr. Yuan’s contributions to the field of applied physics, placing her among a select group of early-career researchers identified for their potential and achievements.

The Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics publishes an annual special issue to highlight the work of early-career researchers who have demonstrated exceptional promise in applied physics. The Emerging Leaders issue aims to recognize researchers who completed their PhDs within the past decade and have since made notable contributions to their respective fields. These researchers are selected by the journal's Editorial Board and the applied physics community, based on their demonstrated innovation and impact. Dr. Yuan’s inclusion in this issue underscores the relevance and quality of her research. 

Dr. Yuan’s academic and research journey spans several leading institutions. She earned her BSc from Fudan University in China and her PhD from Dartmouth College in the USA, focusing on quantum nanostructures. She then advanced her research as a Postdoctoral Researcher at TU Delft in the Netherlands, where she contributed significantly to microwave optomechanics. At TU Delft, she developed a 3D microwave optomechanical cavity and set a record for the mechanical quality factor of a membrane resonator, achievements that were recognized in various scientific publications.

Since joining PDI, Dr. Yuan has focused on GHz surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) technology and the acoustic and electrical control of hybrid quantum nanostructures. Among her accomplishments at PDI is the demonstration of the fastest reported pumping of single-photon emission using acoustic waves—a milestone that contributes to the institute’s international reputation for innovation in quantum technologies.

Dr. Yuan’s recent research into SAW generation on (Sc,Al)N, a promising new nitride, in collaboration with scientists from PDI, the University of Cardiff, and Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd, Canada, is featured in the JPhysD special issue. The work focuses on developing surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) devices for next-generation telecommunications, targeting operation in the 10 GHz range. The result demonstrates the synergy between material and device development at PDI.

Her recognition in the JPhysD special issue is a testament to the impact of her work and her potential to drive further innovation in her field.

Publication

Title: Generation of GHz surface acoustic waves in (Sc,Al)N thin films grown on free-standing polycrystalline diamond wafers by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Mingyun Yuan, Duc V. Dinh, Soumen Mandal, Oliver A. Williams, Zhuohui Chen, Oliver Brandt, and Paulo V. Santos
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6463/ad76ba