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Youngwook Park

Pohang University of Science and Technology · Engineering

About the Lab

Professor Youngwook Park's research lab specializes in molecular-scale science and nanotechnology, focusing on the manipulation of individual molecules using strong electric fields and plasmonic effects. The lab investigates fundamental molecular dynamics under extreme conditions—such as ultra-high electric fields (~10⁸ V/m) and localized surface plasmons—enabling precise control over molecular orientation, bond breaking, and single-molecule switching. Their work bridges quantum-scale phenomena with practical applications in nanoelectronics, molecular optoelectronics, and advanced materials processing. Key techniques include low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and structured surface engineering for chemical mechanical polishing.

molecular manipulationstrong electric fieldsplasmon-induced chemistrysingle-molecule switchingnanoscale processing

Research Overview

Papers
72
Total Citations
280
Papers (5y)
18
Primary Field
Engineering

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
18total
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Citations per year (5y)
98total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|28 citations·2024
Atomic-precision control of plasmon-induced single-molecule switching in a metal–semiconductor nanojunction
Youngwook Park, Ikutaro Hamada, Adnan Hammud, Takashi Kumagai, Martin Wolf, Akitoshi Shiotari
SJR Q1Nature CommunicationsOA

Atomic-scale control of photochemistry facilitates extreme miniaturisation of optoelectronic devices. Localised surface plasmons, which provide strong confinement and enhancement of electromagnetic fields at the nanoscale, secure a route to achieve sub-nanoscale reaction control. Such local plasmon-induced photochemistry has been realised only in metallic structures so far. Here we demonstrate controlled plasmon-induced single-molecule switching of peryleneanhydride on a silicon surface. Using a

Electrical and Electronic EngineeringEngineering
2
Article|18 citations·2016
Brute Force Orientation of Matrix‐Isolated Molecules: Reversible Reorientation of Formaldehyde in an Argon Matrix toward Perfect Alignment
Youngwook Park, Hani Kang, Hani Kang, Heon Kang, Heon Kang
SJR Q1Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Abstract Brute force orientation by an electric field is a promising way of controlling the orientation of polar molecules in the gas phase, but its application to condensed‐phase molecules has been very limited. We studied the reorientation of formaldehyde molecules in a solid Ar matrix under the influence of a strong electric field using reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy. Asymptotically perfect alignment of the formaldehyde molecules along the field was achieved at field strengths ex

Atomic and Molecular Physics, and OpticsPhysics and Astronomy
3
Article|17 citations·2022
Configurational paths for SMEs’ innovation: focusing on information resources, absorptive capacity, and government support
Youngwook Park, Yanghon Chung, Hosung Son
SJR Q2Technology Analysis and Strategic Management

The purpose of this study is to reveal the paths of how absorptive capacity and government support combine for SMEs to create innovation performance based on external information resources. In addition, this study investigates the configurational paths for SMEs’ innovation creation depending on their industrial environment by comparing analyses of industry types. This study used data from 1,421 Korean SMEs in the manufacturing sector based on the 2018 Korea Innovation Survey data and conducted a

Economics and EconometricsEconomics, Econometrics and Finance
4
Article|16 citations·2019
The frequency-domain infrared spectrum of ammonia encodes changes in molecular dynamics caused by a DC electric field
Youngwook Park, Hani Kang, Robert W. Field, Heon Kang
SJR Q1Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesOA

Significance Our experiment captures the detailed sequence of molecular processes that occur when a uniquely strong (∼10 8 V/m) direct current (DC) electric field is imposed on ammonia molecules isolated in a solid Ar matrix. Electric fields are of singular importance in chemistry, materials science, and molecular biology. Intermolecular interactions, resulting in rearrangements of electrons and nuclei, are driven by strong electric fields. The detailed responses of molecules to external electri

Atomic and Molecular Physics, and OpticsPhysics and Astronomy
5
Article|15 citations·2019
Electric Field Effect on Condensed-Phase Molecular Systems. VII. Vibrational Stark Sensitivity of Spatially Oriented Water Molecules in an Argon Matrix
Youngwook Park, Jong Hyeon Lim, Jin Yong Lee, Heon Kang
SJR Q1The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

The susceptibility of a water molecule to electric fields provides fundamental and essential information for understanding the vibrational spectra of water clusters and condensed-phase water. In this study, the Stark sensitivities for the ν2 bending and ν1 symmetric stretching vibrations of water molecule were experimentally determined. The water molecules isolated in the solid Ar matrix were spatially oriented in the direction of the externally applied field (∼108 V m–1) in the laboratory frame

Atomic and Molecular Physics, and OpticsPhysics and Astronomy
6
Article|8 citations·2024
Effect of Structures with Structured Surface Pad on Material Removal Rate in Chemical Mechanical Polishing
Youngwook Park, Hokyoung Jung, Doyeon Kim, Taekyung Lee, Haedo Jeong, Hyoungjae Kim
SJR Q3ECS Journal of Solid State Science and TechnologyOA

We investigated the impact of the designed contact area (DCA) and designed contact length (DCL) on material removal rates (MRR) when using a pad with a structured surface in chemical mechanical polishing. The structure of the structured surface pad (SSP) was precisely defined, and an examination was conducted to assess the influence of variations in the shape, size, and spacing of the unit figure (UF) on the MRR. The results revealed that maintaining the DCA constant while altering the UF shape

Biomedical EngineeringEngineering
7
Article|8 citations·2020
Recent Progress in the Manipulation of Molecules with DC Electric Fields
Youngwook Park, Sunghwan Shin, Heon Kang
SJR Q1Accounts of Chemical Research

The structure and reactivity of a molecule in the condensed phase are governed by its intermolecular interactions with the surrounding environment. The multipole expansion of each molecule in the condensed phase indicates that the intermolecular interactions are essentially electrostatic (e.g., ion-dipole, dipole-dipole, dipole-quadrupole, dipole-induced dipole). The electrostatic field is a fundamental language of intermolecular communications. Therefore, understanding the influence of the elec

Atomic and Molecular Physics, and OpticsPhysics and Astronomy
8
Article|8 citations·2018
Entropy-Driven Spontaneous Reaction in Cryogenic Ice: Dissociation of Fluoroacetic Acids
Youngwook Park, Sunghwan Shin, Heon Kang
SJR Q1The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters

Chemical reactions are extremely difficult to occur in ice at low temperature, where atoms and molecules are frozen in position with minimal thermal energy and entropy. Contrary to this general behavior, certain weak acids including fluoroacetic acids dissociate spontaneously and more efficiently in cryogenic ice than in aqueous solution at room temperaure. The enhanced reactivity of weak acids is an unexpected consequence of proton-transfer equilibrium in ice. The configurational entropy of pro

Atomic and Molecular Physics, and OpticsPhysics and Astronomy
9
Article|7 citations·2019
Electric Field Effect on Condensed-Phase Molecular Systems. IX. Control of Proton Displacement in Matrix-Isolated Hydrogen Chloride–Water Complexes
Youngwook Park, Hani Kang, Hani Kang, Heon Kang, Heon Kang
SJR Q1The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

This article focuses on the manipulation of molecular bond lengths by an external electric field. A uniform dc electric field with strength up to 1.5 × 10 8 V/m was applied to HCl–H 2 O and HCl–D 2 O complexes isolated in solid Ar matrices by using the ice film nanocapacitor method. The field-dependent vibrational spectra of the samples showed an extraordinarily large Stark shift of the proton vibration (H–Cl stretch) frequency of the HCl–water complexes in the electric field compared to that of

Atomic and Molecular Physics, and OpticsPhysics and Astronomy
10
Article|4 citations·2009
The effect of Ge addition on the RESET operation of a phase-change memory (PCM) device using Ge-doped SbTe
Youngwook Park, Hyun Seok Lee, Hyung Woo Ahn, Zhe Wu, Suyoun Lee, Jeung-hyun Jeong, Doo Seok Jeong, Kyung‐Woo Yi, Byung‐ki Cheong
SJR Q2Current Applied Physics
Materials ChemistryMaterials Science
11
book|4 citations·2020
Manipulation of Matrix-Isolated Molecules and Molecular Clusters with Electrostatic Fields
Youngwook Park
Springer theses
Electrical and Electronic EngineeringEngineering
12
Article|3 citations·2025
Correlation between structured surface pad design and material removal rate in Chemical Mechanical Polishing
Youngwook Park, Hokyoung Jung, Hanchul Cho, Doyeon Kim, Taekyung Lee, Haedo Jeong, Hyoungjae Kim
SJR Q1Journal of Manufacturing Processes
Biomedical EngineeringEngineering
13
Article|2 citations·2016
Brute Force Orientation of Matrix‐Isolated Molecules: Reversible Reorientation of Formaldehyde in an Argon Matrix toward Perfect Alignment
Youngwook Park, Hani Kang, Hani Kang, Heon Kang, Heon Kang
Angewandte Chemie

Abstract Brute force orientation by an electric field is a promising way of controlling the orientation of polar molecules in the gas phase, but its application to condensed‐phase molecules has been very limited. We studied the reorientation of formaldehyde molecules in a solid Ar matrix under the influence of a strong electric field using reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy. Asymptotically perfect alignment of the formaldehyde molecules along the field was achieved at field strengths ex

Atomic and Molecular Physics, and OpticsPhysics and Astronomy
14
Article|1 citations·2005
The Suspension of the Newly Developed Hyundai Sonata
Youngwook Park, Hyungbae Chang, Byungkyu Lee, Unkoo Lee
SAE technical papers on CD-ROM/SAE technical paper series
Mechanical EngineeringEngineering
15
Book Chapter|1 citations·2020
Method
Youngwook Park
Springer theses
Atomic and Molecular Physics, and OpticsPhysics and Astronomy

Research Areas

Atomic and Molecular Physics, and OpticsBiomedical EngineeringElectrical and Electronic EngineeringSpectroscopyVisual Arts and Performing ArtsMaterials Chemistry

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