Adam Abiade
MIT Department: Physics
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Riccardo Comin
Research Supervisor: Ahmet Demir
Undergraduate Institution: Howard University
Website:
Biography
Adam Abiade is a rising sophomore studying physics at Howard University. Growing up in Chicago, Illinois, he developed a passion for physics inspired by an early interest in space. Drawn to fundamental mysteries of the universe and unanswered questions everywhere else, Adam is looking to a career in particle physics, aiming to understand the universe at its most fundamental level. At Howard, Adam actively participates in research and weekly symposiums, building a foundation in theoretical and experimental physics. His strong work ethic, shaped by years of competitive sports, fuels his disciplined approach to academics and scientific inquiry. Beyond the classroom, Adam is dedicated to community engagement, mentoring younger Black students and encouraging them to pursue higher education in STEM.He views physics as a long-term pursuit of curiosity, persistence, and impact, taking every opportunity to grow as a researcher and contribute to the larger STEM community.
Abstract
Exploring BIC Phenomena in Layered Van de Waals Structures
Adam Abiade1, Ahmet Demir2, and Dr. Riccardo Comin2
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Howard University
2Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bound states in the continuum (BICs) are optical modes that remain fully confined despite coexisting within the broader radiation continuum, leading to ultra-high Q resonances in photonic crystal (PhC) systems. This project investigates BIC formation in photonic slabs composed of CrSBr, a van der Waals material with strong in-plane anisotropy that complicates symmetry-protected confinement. Using rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA), we simulate reflectance as a function of incident angle and wavelength to search for signatures of BICs. By analyzing electric and magnetic field profiles, we identify candidate modes characterized by suppressed radiation leakage and distinct antisymmetric field distributions. To counteract the anisotropic optical response of CrSBr, we explore bilayer slab configurations with orthogonal orientation, effectively restoring symmetry and enabling stronger confinement. These results demonstrate that anisotropy can restrict BIC formation, but strategic material orientation provides a pathway to recovering these modes. This work advances the understanding of BIC behavior in van der Waals materials and informs future design of tunable, high-Q photonic devices based on anisotropic quantum materials.
