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AIP Publishing Celebrates Emerging Researchers with Best Paper Awards

AIP Publishing, in collaboration with the Journal of Chemical Physics (JCP), proudly announced the recipients of the 2024 Best Paper Awards designated for Emerging Investigators. This accolade acknowledges remarkable achievements made in both theoretical and experimental domains of research. The distinguished awardees for this year are Dr. Liang-Yan Hsu from Academia Sinica, Taiwan, and Prof. Scott Cushing, associated with the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

The selection process drew from the 2024 Journal of Chemical Physics Emerging Investigators Special Collection, where a committee comprised of Editorial Advisory Board Members screened the submissions. Being included in this special compilation signifies already high standards of excellence in published papers. Both Profs. Cushing and Hsu will receive a monetary award of $2,000 along with an invitation to contribute a perspective article for the JCP.

A Breakthrough in Theoretical Research: Liang-Yan Hsu

Dr. Hsu garnered recognition for his notable paper titled "Generalized Born–Huang expansion under macroscopic quantum electrodynamics framework," which was published on April 10, 2024. This innovative study extends traditional boundaries by proposing a generalized formulation that merges electronic and nuclear motion with photonic degrees of freedom, all under the umbrella of macroscopic quantum electrodynamics (QED). His breakthroughs are set to provide a rigorous quantum mechanical description encompassing molecular systems interwoven with structured electromagnetic settings, including optical cavities and plasmonic nanostructures, effectively accommodating an infinite number of photonic modes.

In his own words, Dr. Hsu expressed, "It is a great honor to receive the JCP Best Theory Paper Award by an Emerging Investigator. The Journal of Chemical Physics has long been a cornerstone in the field of theoretical chemistry, publishing landmark studies that have shaped our understanding of molecular science…" His research, deeply rooted in theoretical chemical physics and quantum electrodynamics, aims to expand further upon the interactions between light and matter in complex environments.

Prof. Felipe Herrera, a member of the JCP-DCP selection committee, praised Dr. Hsu’s work for its distinctiveness. He pointed out that while many theoretical articles delve into the details of molecular complexity, they often fail to encapsulate the electromagnetic field's nuances. Hsu's paper, however, introduces a more comprehensive interface combining macroscopic quantum electrodynamics with conventional non-adiabatic electron-nuclear dynamics, signifying a pivotal leap in molecular dynamics.

Dr. Hsu’s academic path—tracing back to his fascination with marrying chemistry, physics, and mathematics during high school—led him to earn both B.S. and M.S. degrees in chemistry from National Taiwan University, culminating in a Ph.D. from Princeton University. His postdoctoral research at Northwestern University further solidified his expertise before joining Academia Sinica.

Groundbreaking Experimental Research: Scott Cushing

Prof. Scott Cushing is honored for his work titled "Experimental upper bounds for resonance-enhanced entangled two-photon absorption cross section of indocyanine green," published in JCP on March 6, 2024. This research marks a significant contribution to the field of entangled photon spectroscopy, establishing meticulously measured upper limits for resonance-enhanced two-photon absorption processes in a dye molecule that has substantial roles in imaging applications.

Prof. Cushing and his research team investigated whether entangled photon pairs could boost two-photon absorption through a real intermediate state when juxtaposed with classical processes. Their findings delineated that the enhancement does not surpass a limit of 6(±2) × 10−23 cm², which is considerably below that seen in single-photon events.

JCP Editor-in-Chief Dr. Tim Lian commended Prof. Cushing and his colleagues for their precision in measuring the upper bounds using entangled photons, deeming it particularly crucial amid rising interest in utilizing quantum light for ultra-sensitive detection methods with potential implications in bioimaging.

Prof. Cushing's research lies at the interdisciplinary juncture of physics, chemistry, and materials science, propelled by a commitment to inventing scientific instrumentation that channels quantum phenomena into impactful devices. Inspired by his experience across various academic domains—from earning degrees in Physics at West Virginia University to postdoctoral work at UC Berkeley—Prof. Cushing aims to leverage entanglement in ultrafast spectroscopy research.

He is keen on exploring the molecular dynamics induced by a single electron-hole pair or vibrational mode, addressing fundamental questions while concurrently developing nanophotonic entangled photon sources for miniaturized spectrometric tools.

The Journal of Chemical Physics and AIP Publishing

The Journal of Chemical Physics serves as a pivotal resource for groundbreaking research across all disciplines of modern physical chemistry and chemical physics. Meanwhile, AIP Publishing strives to foster the advancement and equitable dissemination of knowledge in the physical sciences, supporting research communication for the betterment of humanity through a not-for-profit framework, thus empowering scholars to facilitate global growth.

With submissions for the 2025 JCP Emerging Investigators Special Collection now being accepted, the future of chemical physics looks bright as new talents emerge. Aspiring researchers must ensure that they are within ten years of their advanced degree graduation date to qualify.