The Ping Group develops first-principles theory and computational methods, including quantum many-body theory and open quantum dynamics based on the density-matrix formalism, to understand and predict the electronic, optical, spin, and transport properties of materials, both in and out of equilibrium. The group studies spin and orbital angular momentum, quasiparticle excitations and dynamics (excitons, polarons, magnons, phonons), and transport in solids, quantum defects, and heterogeneous interfaces, for quantum information, low-power electronics, and energy conversion.
Recent emphasis is on the interplay of spin–orbit coupling, electron–phonon coupling, and light–matter interaction, including non-Markovian electron–phonon dynamics and angular momentum transfer among spin, orbital, and lattice degrees of freedom, and on the role of symmetry, chirality, and topology.
Ping leads the DOE Computational Chemical Sciences center ADEPTs, is the spin-phenomena thrust lead of the DOE Computational Materials Sciences center NENPQ, and is a thrust co-lead of the Energy Frontier Research Center CHOISE. She is also an affiliate professor in the Departments of Physics and Chemistry at UW–Madison.