Chiral phonons
Juraschek, D.M., Geilhufe, R.M., Zhu, H. et al. (incl. Rostami, H.) Nature Physics 21, 1532–1540 (2025)
University of Bath Physics
Rostami Lab
We study quantum transport, nonlinear response theory, and many-body phenomena in quantum materials.
Recent research highlights
Demon and Fano-demon modes in d-wave altermagnets
Habib Rostami and Johannes Hofmann · Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 236701 (2025)
Hidden orbital order and circular dichroism in bulk WSe2
E. Cappelluti, H. Rostami, and F. Cilento · npj 2D Materials and Applications 9, 89 (2025)
Funders
People
Principal Investigator
Dr Habib Rostami Principal Investigator
University of Bath Research Portal profile
Email · Google Scholar · ORCID
Postdoctoral Researchers
Dr Shubham Patel PDRA
PhD Students
Co-supervised PhD Students
Masters & Final-year UG Projects
Research
We are a condensed-matter theory group working on nonequilibrium quantum materials at the interface of quantum transport and ultrafast optics. We study how electrons, phonons, and collective excitations respond to driving by light, electromagnetic fields, strain, and acoustic waves, and how concepts from quantum geometry, many-body interactions, and topology appear in experimentally accessible observables. Our interests include two-dimensional (2D) materials and van der Waals heterostructures (graphene and TMDs), Dirac/Weyl systems, topological insulators, and altermagnets. A recurring theme is the two-dimensional electron liquid and its collective modes (e.g. excitons, plasmons), as well as routes to tuning electronic and lattice dynamics through structured materials and external driving.
- Nonlinear light–matter response: quantum-geometry effects in optics, harmonic generation, and optical forces in solids and 2D materials.
- Quantum transport in low-dimensional systems: mesoscopic transport in nanostructures and nanoribbons, quantum interference, and topology- and interaction-driven transport in Dirac/Weyl and van der Waals materials.
- Phonons out of equilibrium: chiral phonons, nonlinear phononics, and coherent lattice control, and their impact on electronic and optical response.
Selected publications
Broadband, electrically tunable third-harmonic generation in graphene
Ultra-strong nonlinear optical processes and trigonal warping in MoS2 layers
Chiral phonons
Fermi liquid theory of d-wave altermagnets: demon modes and Fano-demon states
Acoustogalvanic effect in Dirac and Weyl semimetals
Gauge invariance and Ward identities in nonlinear response theory
Theory of plasmonic effects in nonlinear optics: the case of graphene
Theory of strain in single-layer transition metal dichalcogenides
Effective lattice Hamiltonian for monolayer MoS2: tailoring electronic structure with perpendicular fields
News & Events
Check our seminar series
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Online seminar series in condensed matter and atomic physics, with the aim to connect researchers working at different Nordic and UK universities.
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Department-wide colloquia with visiting and internal speakers.
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—paper published
Fermi liquid theory of d-wave altermagnets: demon modes and Fano-demon states published in PRL 135, 236701 (2025).
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—paper published
Hidden order revealed by light-driven Kerr rotation in centrosymmetric bulk WSe2 published in npj 2D Mater Appl 9, 89 (2025).
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—IOP conference organised
Quantum Geometry in Quantum Materials (University of Bath) –
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— preprint by Luke Pimlott
Quantum Geometric Injection and Shift Optical Forces Drive Coherent Phonons arXiv:2507.17814.
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—new PhD joins
Welcome to Rufus, who joins the group to work on driven quantum materials.
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—new PDRA joins
Welcome to Shubham, who joins the group to work on nonlinear phononics and optics.
Teaching
PH40139 — Phase Transitions and Critical Phenomena
Renormalization group, universality, and critical behaviour in classical and quantum systems.
- Mon 11:15 — CB 5.6
- Tue 14:15 — 6E 2.2
- Thu 16:15 — 8W 2.5
Curriculum Vitae
Profile
Habib Rostami is an Assistant Professor (Lecturer) in the Department of Physics at the University of Bath. His research is in theoretical condensed-matter physics, with emphasis on quantum many-body effects in realistic materials, quantum transport, and light–matter interactions in two-dimensional and van der Waals systems.
Academic appointments
- Assistant Professor (Lecturer), Department of Physics, University of Bath, UK (2022–present)
- Researcher (fixed-term Assistant Professor), Nordita / Stockholm University, Sweden (2019–2022)
- Postdoctoral Researcher, Nordita / Stockholm University, Sweden (2017–2018)
- Postdoctoral Researcher, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa & IIT Genova, Italy (2015–2017)
Funding, grants & honours
- EPSRC New Investigator Award (UKRI) — tunable nonlinear phononics in layered quantum materials
- VR Starting Grant (Swedish Research Council) — nonlinear optics and transport in two-dimensional materials
- Royal Society International Exchange — anomalous acoustoelectric effects (UK–Germany collaboration)
- Best PhD Thesis Award, Iranian Physical Society
Education
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PhD (Theoretical Physics), IPM—Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences, Tehran (2010–2015)
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MSc, University of Tehran (2007–2010)
- BSc, University of Semnan (2004–2007) — Solid-state physics