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SiteMap | Academia Sinica

Liang-Yan Hsu

Research Fellow / Deputy Director

Liang-Yan Hsu
ORCID Profile
Email: lyhsu[at]gate.sinica.edu.tw
Office: R362
Tel: +886-2-2362-4962
Nanoelectronics and Theoretical Chemical Physics Lab

Research Interest

  • Theoretical Chemical Physics
  • Quantum Electrodynamical Chemistry and Polariton Chemistry (Applications of Macroscopic Quantum Electrodynamics in Chemistry)  
  • Light-Matter Interactions at the Nanoscale (Plasmon-Coupled Exciton Transfer and Spectroscopy)
  • Nanoelectronics (Molecular Electronics)
  • Methodology of Quantum Transport Theory at the Nanoscale (Electron, Exciton, Heat, and Spin Transport)

Research Overview

Dr. Hsu's research focuses on exploring quantum electrodynamical phenomena in chemical systems. Light is a fundamental element in many physical phenomena and chemical reactions. In most cases, weak light-matter coupling can trigger chemical molecules to change their quantum states after absorbing or releasing photons, forming the basis of spectroscopy and photochemistry. Recently, strong light-matter coupling between excited molecules and vacuum electromagnetic fields has received extensive attention due to the intriguing properties of the hybrid states formed by excited molecules and photons (analogous to how two hydrogen atoms form a hydrogen molecule). This emerging field is known as "Polaritonic Chemistry". To properly describe the effects of vacuum electromagnetic fields on chemical molecules, a fully quantum electrodynamic approach is essential. Within the framework of macroscopic quantum electrodynamics, our group has not only generalized several traditional chemical theories to the strong coupling regime but has also incorporated the effects of dielectric environments into light-matter interactions. Building upon quantum electrodynamics, we have successfully extended several representative theories in chemical physics, including:

(i) a unified theory of molecular fluorescence spanning weak to strong light-matter coupling (a generalization of the Chance-Prock-Silbey fluorescence theory); (ii) a unified theory of radiative and non-radiative energy transfer (a generalization of Förster resonance energy transfer theory); (iii) the multichromophoric excitation energy transfer theory; (iv) a unified theory of radiative and non-radiative electron transfer (a generalization of Marcus theory); (v) the generalized Born-Huang expansion for photon-electron-nucleus systems (a generalization of the Born-Huang expansion); (vi) the molecular superradiance theory (a generalization of Spano-Mukamel theory).

Furthermore, our theories enable the description of light-molecule interactions in inhomogeneous, dispersive, and absorbing media, corresponding to materials with space-dependent, frequency-dependent, and complex dielectric functions. In other words, our approach incorporates the effects of plasmon polaritons and cavity photons, as well as material dissipation, without relying on free parameters. Our research perspective extends beyond “Polaritonic Chemistry". More broadly, we explore entirely new phenomena within the domain of “Quantum Electrodynamical (QED) Chemistry".

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Education

  • B.S., Chemistry, 2005, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
  • M.S., Chemistry, 2008, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
  • Ph.D., Chemistry 2015, Princeton University, USA

Professional History

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Princeton University, USA (2015-2016)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Northwestern University, USA (2016-2017)
  • Assistant Research Fellow, Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taiwan (2017-2021)
  • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taiwan (2019-2022)
  • Associate Research Fellow, Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taiwan (2021-2025)
  • Joint Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taiwan (2022-2025)
  • Center Scientist and Coordinator, National Center for Theoretical Sciences, Taiwan (2023-2025)
  • Joint Professor, Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taiwan (2025-Present)
  • Research Fellow, Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taiwan (2025-Present)
  • Deputy Director, Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taiwan (2025-Present)

Awards & Honors

  • SEED – Young Scholar, NSTC (National Science and Technology Council), 2026
  • The Journal of Chemical Physics 2024 Emerging Investigator Best Paper Award, American Institute of Physics, 2025
  • Outstanding Young Scholar Award, Taiwan Theoretical and Computational Molecular Sciences Association, 2025
  • NSTC Outstanding Research Award, 2025
  • 26th Outstanding Young Scholar Award, Shui-Mu Foundation of Chemistry, 2025
  • Young Chemist Award, CSLT (Chemical Society Located in Taipei), 2024
  • Presidential Scholars Program, Academia Sinica, 2023
  • Early-Career Investigator Research Achievement Award, Academia Sinica, 2022
  • Outstanding Teaching Award, National Taiwan University, 2022
  • 2022 Career Development Award, Academia Sinica, 2021
  • Ta-You Wu Memorial Award, MOST (Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan), 2020
  • Young Scholars’ Creativity Award, Foundation for the Advancement of Outstanding Scholarship, 2020
  • Margaret and Herman Sokol Fellowship in Chemistry, Princeton University, 2015​
  • Stephen P.A. Fodor*85 Fellowship, Princeton University, 2011
  • Science and Technology Research Award, CTCI Foundation, 2007
  • Dr. Yan Distinguished Thesis Award, National Taiwan University, 2007
  • Dean's Award for Graduates in College of Science, National Taiwan University, 2007
  • Dr. An-Tai Chen Undergraduate Research Scholarship, National Taiwan University, 2005​
  • The Presidential Award, National Taiwan University
Selected Publications
  1. Peng, T.-Y.; Lin, C.-H.; Qi, K.; Fu, J.-H.; Wang, C.-Y.; Huang, J.-W.; Chen, J.-W.; Chen, Z.-Z.; Shiu, H.-W.; Chang, Y.-W.; Hsu, L.-Y.; Shih, M.-H.; Tung, V.*; Lu, Y.-J.*; Giant Trion Modulation in Scalable Monolayer MoS₂ via Plasmonic HfN Gates, Nat. Photonics, published online.
  2. Chuang, Y.-T.*; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Polaron-Polariton-Assisted Thermally Activated Superradiance, Phys. Rev. Lett., 2026, 136, 238001.
  3. Chen, Y.-K.; Lei, J.; Liu, P.-C.; Lin, C.-H.; Chen, Y.-M.; Chang, W.-S.; Chen, I.-C,; Hsu, L.-Y.; Wu, T.-L.*;  Unveiling the Evolution of Afterglow in Diboraanthracene Scaffolds: From Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence to Room-Temperature Phosphorescence, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2025, 147, 49, 45603–45617.
  4. Chuang, Y.-T.*; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Quantum Dynamics of Electron Transfer in Single-Molecule Systems Coupled to Polaritons: A Macroscopic Quantum Electrodynamics Approach, J. Chem. Phys., 2025, 163, 224107.  (Invited Article, Special Issue: “Yijing Yan Festschrift”)
  5. Shen, C.-E.; Tsai, H.-S.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Unified Theory of Internal Conversion and Fluorescence under Macroscopic Quantum Electrodynamics Framework, J. Chem. Phys., 2025, 163, 174117. (Invited Article, Special Issue: “2025 JCP Emerging Investigators Special Collection”)
  6. Hsu, L.-Y.*; Chemistry Meets Plasmon Polaritons and Cavity Photons: A Perspective from Macroscopic Quantum Electrodynamics, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2025, 16, 1604-1619. (Invited Perspective Article)
  7. Shen, C.-E.; Tsai, H.-S.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Non-Adiabatic Quantum Electrodynamic Effects on Electron-Nucleus-Photon Systems: Single Photonic Mode versus Infinite Photonic Modes, J. Chem. Phys., 2025, 162, 034107. (Feature Article, Special Issue: “2024 JCP Emerging Investigators Special Collection”)
  8. Chuang, Y.-T.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Anomalous Giant Superradiance in Molecular Aggregates Coupled to Polaritons, Phys. Rev. Lett., 2024, 133, 128001.
  9. Wei, Y.-C.*; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Wide-Dynamic-Range Control of Quantum-Electrodynamic Electron Transfer Reactions in the Weak Coupling Regime, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2024, 15, 7403-7410.
  10. Tsai, H.-S.; Shen, C.-E.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Generalized Born–Huang Expansion under Macroscopic Quantum Electrodynamics Framework, J. Chem. Phys., 2024, 160, 144112. (2024 JCP Best Theory Paper Award, Special Issue: “2024 JCP Emerging Investigators Special Collection”)
  11. Chuang, Y.-T.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Microscopic Theory of Exciton–Polariton Model Involving Multiple Molecules: Macroscopic Quantum Electrodynamics Formulation and Essence of Direct Intermolecular Interactions, J. Chem. Phys., 2024, 160, 114105. (Special Issue: “Light-matter Interaction at the Nano and Molecular Scale”)
  12. Chuang, Y.-T.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Quantum Dynamics of Molecular Ensembles Coupled with Quantum Light: Counter-rotating Interactions as an Essential Component, Phys. Rev. A, 2024, 109, 013717.
  13. Hang, C.-C.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Many-Body Coherence in Quantum Transport, Phys. Rev. B, 2023, 108, 125422.
  14. Tsai, H.-S.; Shen, C.-E.; Hsu, S.-H.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Effects of Non-Adiabatic Electromagnetic Vacuum Fluctuations on Internal Conversion, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2023, 14, 5924-5931.
  15. Lee, M.-W.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Polariton-Assisted Resonance Energy Transfer beyond Resonant Dipole-Dipole Interaction: A Transition-Current-Density Approach, Phys. Rev. A, 2023, 107, 053709.
  16. Wei, Y.-C.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Polaritonic Huang–Rhys Factor: Basic Concepts and Quantifying Light–Matter Interactions in Media, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2023, 14, 2395-2401.
  17. Wang, S.; Chuang, Y.-T.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Macroscopic Quantum Electrodynamics Approach to Multichromophoric Excitation Energy Transfer. I. Formalism, J. Chem. Phys., 2022, 157, 184107. (Special Issue: “2022 JCP Emerging Investigators Special Collection”)
  18. Wei, Y.-C.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Cavity-Free Quantum-Electrodynamic Electron Transfer Reactions, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2022, 13, 9695-9702.
  19. Wang, S.; Chuang, Y.-T.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Simple but Accurate Estimation of Light-Matter Coupling Strength and Optical Loss for a Molecular Emitter Coupled with Photonic Modes, J. Chem. Phys., 2021, 155, 134117. (Special Issue: “Advances in Modeling Plasmonic Systems”)
  20. Wei, Y.-C.; Lee, M.-W.; Chou, P.-T.; Scholes. G. D.; Schatz, G. C.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Can Nanocavities Significantly Enhance Resonance Energy Transfer in a Single Donor–Acceptor Pair? J. Phys. Chem. C, 2021, 125, 18119-18128. (Invited Article, Special Issue: “125 Years of The Journal of Physical Chemistry”)
  21. Lee, M.-W.; Chuang, Y.-T.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Theory of Molecular Emission Power Spectra. II. Angle, Frequency, and Distance Dependence of Electromagnetic Environment Factor of a Molecular Emitter in Plasmonic Environments, J. Chem. Phys., 2021, 155, 074101. (Special Issue: “2021 JCP Emerging Investigators Special Collection”)
  22. Hsu, L.-Y.*; Yen, H.-C.; Lee, M.-W.; Sheu, Y.-L.; Chen, P.-C.; Dai, H*; Chen, C.-C.*; Large-Scale Inhomogeneous Fluorescence Plasmonic Silver Chips: Origin and Mechanism, Chem (Cell), 2020, 6, 3396-3408.
  23. Wang, S; Lee, M.-W.; Chuang, Y.-T.; Scholes, G. D.*; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Theory of Molecular Emission Power Spectra. I. Macroscopic Quantum Electrodynamics Formalism." J. Chem. Phys., 2020, 153, 184102. (Invited Article, Special Issue: “Excitons: Energetics and Spatio-temporal Dynamics”)
  24. Lee, M.-W.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Controllable Frequency Dependence of Resonance Energy Transfer Coupled with Localized Surface Plasmon Polaritons, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2020, 11, 6796-6804.
  25. Wang, S; Scholes, G. D.*; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Coherent-to-Incoherent Transition of Molecular Fluorescence Controlled by Surface Plasmon Polaritons, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2020, 11, 5948-5855. (Virtual Issue: "Polaritons in Physical Chemistry")
  26. Chiang, T.-M.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Quantum Transport with Electronic Relaxation in Electrodes: Landauer-Type Formulas Derived from the Driven Liouville-von Neumann Approach, J. Chem. Phys., 2020, 153, 044103. (Special Issue: “2020 JCP Emerging Investigators Special Collection”)
  27. Wang. S; Scholes. G. D.*; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Quantum Dynamics of a Molecular Emitter Strongly Coupled with Surface Plasmon Polaritons: A Macroscopic Quantum Electrodynamics Approach, J. Chem. Phys., 2019, 151, 014105.  (Editor’s Pick, Editor's Choice in 2019, Invited Article, Special Issue: "Dynamics of Open Quantum Systems")
  28. Wu, J.-S.; Lin, Y.-C.; Sheu, Y.-L.; Hsu, L.-Y.*, Characteristic Distance of Resonance Energy Transfer Coupled with Surface Plasmon Polaritons,  J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2018, 9, 7032-7039.
  29. Fu, B;  Mosquera, M. A.; Schatz, G. C., Ratner M. A.; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Photoinduced Anomalous Coulomb Blockade and the Role of Triplet States in Electron Transport through an Irradiated Molecular Transistor, Nano Lett., 2018, 18, 5015-5023.
  30. Hsu, L.-Y.; Ding, W. D.; Schatz, G. C.*; Plasmon-Coupled Resonance Energy Transfer, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2017, 8, 2357-2367. (Feature Article).
  31. Sheu, Y.-L.; Wu, H.-T.*; Hsu, L.-Y.*; Exploring Laser-Driven Quantum Phenomena from a Time-Frequency Analysis Perspective: A Comprehensive Study, Opt. Express, 2015, 23, 30459-30482.
  32. Ting, T.-C.; Hsu, L.-Y.; Huang, M.-J.; Homg, E.-C.; Lu, H.-C.; Hsu, C.-H.; Jiang, C.-H.; Jin, B.-Y.*; Peng, S.-M.*; Chen, C.-H.*; Mechanisms and Characteristics of Energy-Level Alignment for Single-Molecule Conductance, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2015, 54, 15734-15738. (Chosen as a very important paper).
  33. Liao, K.-C.; Hsu, L.-Y.; Bowers, C. M.; Rabitz, H*; Whitesides, G. M.*, Molecular Series-Tunneling Junctions, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2015, 137, 5948-5954.
  34. Huang, M.-J.; Hsu, L.-Y.; Fu, M.-D.; Chuang, S.-T.; Tien, F.-W.; Chen, C.-H*, Conductance of Tailored Molecular Segments: a Rudimentary Assessment by Landauer Formulation, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2014, 136, 1832-1841.
  35. Hsu, L.-Y.*; Wu, N.; Rabitz, H*, Gate Control of the Conduction Mechanism Transition from Tunneling to Thermally Activated Hopping, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2014, 5, 1831-183.
  36. Hsu, L.-Y.*; Li, E. Y.*; Rabitz, H.*, Single-Molecule Electric Revolving Door, Nano Lett., 2013, 13, 5020-5025.
  37. Hsu, L.-Y.; Rabitz, H.*, Single-Molecule Phenyl-Acetylene-Macrocycle-Based Optoelectronic Switch Functioning as a Quantum-Interference-Effect Transistor, Phys. Rev. Lett., 2012, 109, 186801.