New Quantum Materials from High Pressure

This project is in the fields of high pressure materials synthesis, quantum magnetism, and low temperature neutron scattering, and is suitable for a student with a first degree in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science or an allied subject.

You will discover new materials with interesting and potentially useful electronic and magnetic properties such as exotic spin orders or a quantum spin liquid (QSL) ground state. The project is co-supervised by Prof. Paul Attfield and Dr. Pascal Manuel at the ISIS neutron facility. You will work between the Centre for Extreme Conditions (CSEC) at Edinburgh and ISIS.

CSEC research will be focussed on high pressure synthesis of new transition metal oxide materials using a large volume press (LVP).

We are one of very few groups worldwide routinely using pressures up to 22 GPa for LVP new materials synthesis, so you will have access to a cutting-edge materials preparation facility.

Neutron scattering experiments on WISH and other state-of-the-art instruments at ISIS will be used to explore low temperature magnetic properties.

You will also spend longer periods at ISIS to help develop Ultra Low Temperature (ULT) capabilities for neutron scattering experiments.