Marwa Mannai
Postdoctoral Associate
Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi
Education: BA Faculty of sciences of Tunis; MA Faculty of sciences of Tunis; PhD Faculty of sciences of Tunis
Research Websites: Center for Quantum and Topological Systems
Research Areas: Topological phases of matter; Two-dimensional materials; Strongly correlated electron systems; Moiré structures
Marwa Marwa Mannai holds a postdoctoral position at the Center for Quantum and Topological Systems (CQTS) at NYU Abu Dhabi. She completed her Master's degree in Quantum Physics in 2018 at the Faculty of Sciences of Tunis and successfully defended her thesis, "Effect of disorder, stacking, strain, and twist in 2D topological systems," in 2023. During her research, she collaborated with several esteemed scientists and published three insightful papers related to her thesis topic. With a strong background in condensed matter physics, Mannai's research revolves around the fascinating realm of topological phases of matter, two-dimensional materials, strongly correlated electron systems, and Moiré structures. Her aim is to unravel new and intriguing phenomena within these fields while exploring their potential applications. Her publications, including "Stacking-induced Chern insulator," "Twistronics versus straintronics in twisted bilayers of graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides," and " Strain tuned topology in the Haldane and the modified Haldane models" have garnered significant attention in the scientific community, further establishing her expertise in these areas of study. Prior to her current position, Mannai has held esteemed academic and research roles, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in her field. Throughout her academic journey, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, earning three honors of first rank in her class. These achievements underscore her commitment to excellence and her significant contributions to the realm of condensed matter physics.
Current Research
As a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Quantum and Topological Systems (CQTS) at NYU Abu Dhabi, my research focuses on several interrelated areas within condensed matter physics. One of my primary research interests lies in the study of two-dimensional materials, which are atomically thin structures with unique electronic properties. I investigate the fundamental properties and potential applications of these materials, aiming to unlock their extraordinary properties for next-generation electronic devices.
Another significant aspect of my research revolves around investigating topological phases of matter. These are states of matter characterized by nontrivial topological invariants, resulting in intriguing properties such as protected edge states that are robust against disorder. By exploring various systems and theoretical frameworks, I aim to further our understanding of these topological phases and their potential for realizing novel quantum technologies.
In addition, my research delves into strongly correlated electron systems, where the interactions between electrons play a crucial role in determining the material's behavior. By employing theoretical techniques and numerical simulations, I investigate the emergence of exotic phases, such as unconventional superconductivity or quantum magnetism, in these materials. This research contributes to our understanding of complex quantum phenomena and provides insights into the design of new materials with tailored functionalities.
Lastly, I am actively involved in exploring the properties and engineering potential of Moiré structures. These are formed by stacking two-dimensional materials with a slight twist angle, leading to long-range periodic modulations in the resulting system. This unique structural arrangement can induce a variety of fascinating electronic and optical properties, opening up new avenues for manipulating light-matter interactions and realizing advanced optoelectronic devices.