New ARPES specialist at IQ

IQ recently welcomed professor Cris Adriano, a seasoned experimenter with recognized expertise in the growth and characterization of new quantum materials. Her arrival promises to boost the institute's research with the installation of a new angle-resolved spectroscopy system (ARPES) - the second of its kind in Quebec. Recently accepted as a member of the Regroupement québécois sur les matériaux de pointe (RQMP) and recipient of an NSERC Discovery Grant, Professor Adriano is ready to make an impact in Sherbrooke.

A major asset for IQ

ARPES is an advanced technique essential for exploring the band structure of materials - that is, it allows us to see how electrons behave in a solid, revealing its electrical properties and its interrelation with structural, magnetic and optical properties.

“The idea is to have this equipment to directly study the electronic structure of materials, which is very interesting here in Sherbrooke,” explains Professor Adriano. This technology, crucial for understanding materials such as superconductors and topological insulators, could open up new prospects for the discovery of promising materials for use in electronics and quantum computing. With her rich and diverse background, Professor Cris Adriano is well-suited to establish ARPES capabilities at the Quantum Institute.

An academic journey accross the americas

“I've always worked in condensed matter physics,” she begins. Originally from Brazil, she began her scientific journey at the University of Campinas, near São Paulo. Passionate about quantum materials from the outset, she soon specialized in their characterization, using the synchrotron for her experiments: “As we have one in our university backyard, I worked on it from my undergraduate projects and throughout my master's degree.”

During her PhD, she learned to successfully grow her own samples using a variety of experimental techniques. “Whenever we had a sample with a physical problem, we learned the techniques to solve those problems,” she explains. Professor Adriano travelled internationally to use cutting-edge characterization techniques, including neutron scattering at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Center for Neutron Research and X-ray scattering at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). Towards the end of her PhD, she specialized in the ARPES technique.

She continued her postdoctoral work in the United States, at the University of Illinois. She then held research positions at the University of Campinas, her alma mater, and as a visiting professor at Iowa State University. Through this international career, she has developed a rare expertise in a wide range of fields, making her a well-rounded scientist with expertise rarely found in a single person.
“Learning all these advanced techniques is something I'm proud of,” she confides.

Between research and adventure

Beyond her professional achievements, Cris Adriano is also a devoted mother and a passionate hiker. Moving to Sherbrooke is a new adventure for her and her family. “I really wanted to move, and I wanted to move to Canada, to Quebec,” she shares. “I love hiking, I love going to the mountains.” Weekends are often devoted to outdoor activities, reinforcing her love of nature. “We always have fun on the weekends,” she adds.

A welcoming community 

At IQ, she finds a stimulating and inclusive environment, where she continues to strive towards excellence. “All my colleagues and the staff are super nice, super helpful,” she notes. “The professors collaborate with each other a lot.” The challenges of being a woman in research are far from negligible, but Professor Adriano tackles them with determination and passion. Her presence at the IQ is sure to inspire the next generation of scientists, while strengthening the institute's research capabilities.