Dr. Zhi Xun Shen

Professor

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Biography

Zhi-Xun Shen is a Paul Pigott Professor in Physical Sciences at Stanford University and serves as a Professor of Applied Physics and Physics. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Precourt Institute for Energy. Shen has held significant academic positions including Chief Scientist at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Director of the Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials and the Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences. He is recognized for his substantial contributions to the field of condensed matter physics, particularly in the study of quantum materials. His research focuses on advanced instrumentation and experimental techniques in photon-based methods such as angle-resolved photoemission and soft x-ray scattering, aimed at understanding the fundamental properties of superconductors, novel magnets, and topological insulators. His work has contributed significantly to the advances in thin film interface engineering and the understanding of anisotropic d-wave pairing in high-temperature superconductors. He has received numerous prestigious awards including the E.O. Lawrence Award and the Oliver E. Buckley Prize from the American Physical Society. Shen has also played a vital role in advisory committees and boards in both national and international research institutions.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2006-01-01 — Present

Stanford University • Stanford, California

Serves as a Professor in the Department of Applied Physics and the Department of Physics.

Chief Scientist

2010-01-01 — 2013-01-01

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory • Stanford, California

Led scientific research initiatives at SLAC.

Director

2006-01-01 — 2011-01-01

Stanford Institute Materials Energy Sciences • Stanford, California

Oversaw research initiatives focused on materials energy sciences.

Director

2005-01-01 — 2008-01-01

Geballe Laboratory For Advanced Materials • Stanford, California

Managed laboratory focused on advanced materials research.

Awards

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E.O. Lawrence Award

#

Oliver E. Buckley Prize

#

H. Kamerlingh Onnes Prize

Patents

Modulated Microwave Microscopy Probes

8,266,718 2012-09-11

Patented technology for advanced microwaves instrumentation.

https://patents.google.com/patent/US8266718B2/en

Photoemission Enhanced Thermionic Emission Solar Energy Harvesting

8,853,531 2014-10-07

Innovative solar energy harvesting technology.

https://patents.google.com/patent/US8853531B2/en

Diamondoid Monolayers Electron Emitters

8,154,185 2012-04-20

Technology relating to electron emission from diamondoid structures.

https://patents.google.com/patent/US8154185B2/en

Orthogonal Microwave Imaging Probe

7,190,175 2007-03-13

Technique for imaging using microwave technology.

https://patents.google.com/patent/US7190175B2/en

Non-resonant Microwave Imaging Probe

6,825,645 2004-11-30

Patented system for microwave imaging without resonance.

https://patents.google.com/patent/US6825645B2/en

Courses

PHYSICS 276 APPPHYS 291 APPPHYS 290 PHYSICS 190 PHYSICS 490 PHYSICS 205 APPPHYS 201 PHOTON 201 APPPHYS 470

Requirements for Stanford University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:26
Speaking
Required:26
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Verbal
Required:160
Quantitative
Required:165
Analytical Writing
Required:4.5
Overall
Required:4.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree from an accredited institution Strong background in mathematics and programming
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

The Computer Science department emphasizes research potential. GRE General is currently optional but recommended for some tracks.