Rate My Professor John Schaibley

John Schaibley is an Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Arizona, with a joint appointment as Associate Professor of Optical Sciences at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Michigan in 2013 and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa at Purdue University. Schaibley leads the Schaibley Lab, an experimental research group dedicated to exploring novel electronic, optical, and spin effects in low-dimensional solid-state systems. His current focus is on optoelectronic and spin physics of two-dimensional (2D) material semiconductor systems, particularly monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) and 2D heterostructure devices. The lab investigates control of electrons in few-atom-thick 2D semiconductors using electric, magnetic, and optical fields, with potential applications to ultra-thin and flexible optoelectronic devices for energy harvesting, light emission, and high-speed computing. Research areas include 2D material plasmonics and nanophotonics, quantum optics with single localized quantum states, and controlling spin and valley polarizations in 2D heterostructures.

Schaibley has made significant contributions to the field through high-impact publications such as 'Valleytronics in 2D Materials' in Nature Reviews Materials (2016), 'Valley-Polarized Exciton Dynamics in a 2D Semiconductor Heterostructure' in Science (2016), 'Observation of Long-Lived Interlayer Excitons in Monolayer MoSe2–WSe2 Heterostructures' in Nature Communications (2015), 'Monolayer Semiconductor Nanocavity Lasers with Ultralow Thresholds' in Nature (2015), and 'Single Quantum Emitters in Monolayer Semiconductors' in Nature Nanotechnology (2015). These works, among others, have garnered thousands of citations and advanced understanding in valleytronics, exciton dynamics, and quantum optoelectronics in 2D materials. His accolades include the 2025 Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Experimental Physics Investigator award to engineer new quantum states in 2D materials, appointment as the inaugural Faculty Fellow for Quantum by the University of Arizona Office of Research and Partnerships in 2025 to unify quantum research efforts, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Program (AFOSR YIP) Award (2017), Bisgrove Scholar (2017), Peter Franken Award (University of Michigan), AAPT Outstanding Teacher Award (University of Michigan), and Phi Beta Kappa (Purdue University). Schaibley maintains an office in PAS 551 and is actively involved in quantum initiatives at the university.