Nanoscale Physics

Superconductivity, Magnetism and Ultrasonics

Crystallography and Magnetic Resonance

Cluster Leader: Prof. Chris McConville

Cluster Leader: Prof. Steve Dixon

Cluster Leader: Prof. Pam Thomas

Surface and Interface Science

Crystal surfaces studied by electron, photon and ion scattering techniques (XPS, UPS, HREELS, CAICISS, LEED, etc.), supported by total energy calculations. Epitaxial growth of III-V semiconductors, including nitrides, antimonides, and magnetic semiconductors. The interdisciplinary nature of this field covers both physical and chemical aspects of the topic as well as impinging on materials science.

Superconductivity and Magnetism

Highly correlated electron systems e.g. magnetic and high temperature superconductors, intermetallic heavy fermions, charge-ordered oxides, and frustrated magnets, grown as single crystals and studied by a range of techniques. Extensive use of X-ray synchrotrons and neutron sources worldwide, as well as in-house magnetometry, transport and ESR measurements.

Ferroelectrics and Crystallography

Fundamental physics of ferroelectric crystals, including lead-free piezoelectrics, non-linear optical crystals with tailored periodic domains, and novel multiferroic fluorides. Understanding the physical properties and phase transitions from the basis of structure, combining synchrotron and lab-based high-resolution X-ray diffraction, diffuse scattering and imaging, dielectric and optical measurements, neutron diffraction and NMR.

Nano-Silicon

UK's only academic facility for Group IV semiconductor epitaxy to make silicon-based electronic, photonic, spintronic and photovoltaic devices. Development of electronic refrigeration in the mK regime. Comprehensive structrual and electronic characterisation of materials and devices.

Magnetic X-ray Scattering

Magnetism studied in materials of fundemental interest and with technological applications, using x-ray and neutron scattering in large scale facilities. Magnetic Compton scattering, the inelastic scattering of x-rays from spin polarised electrons, used to measure spin densities and determine spin moments. Phase behaviour of fluids confined in nanometre sized pores.

Glass and Glass Ceramics

Structure, function and physical properties of glass ceramic materials. The studies are supported by the wide range of analytical facilities within the department. Comprehensive sample preparation facilities include glass melting, ceramic sintering and single crystal growth.

Analytical Science Projects

Novel instrumentation and data handling methods developed to address new analytical challenges. Ion optical development of the world's first ultra-low energy secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) facility. Electrochemical and environmental cells and detectors for in-situ time-resolved X-ray measurements in synchrotron beam lines, with applications both to materials physics and cultural heritage.

Ultrasonics

Non-contact ultrasound methods developed for material evaluation and testing -- crystallographic texture determination in metals through to the high speed inspection of railtrack. Fundamental studies of elastic constants in highly correlated materials frustrated and single molecule magnets

Solid State NMR

The Centre for Magnetic Resonance, in Millburn House, is unrivalled within the UK. There are 13 superconducting magnets for performing NMR, ranging from 850 MHz (proton Larmor frequency) to 100 MHz for solid-state NMR, 700 and 600 MHz solution-state NMR and a three magnet solid-state DNP system. Research interests encompass multinuclear solid-state NMR methodology and application to materials science, chemistry, life sciences and physics.

Microscopy

Nanoscale structure of advanced materials and its effect on their functional properties, with emphasis on organic and inorganic semiconductors, functional ceramics, molecular electronic systems, nanocarbon and nanotubes. Electron, optical and scanned probe microscopy technique development, including abberation corrected TEM.

EPR and Diamond

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and optical spectroscopic methods are developed to study diamond and related systems. High temperature, high pressure diamond growth facilities.

For information about the Centre for Doctoral Training in Integrated Magnetic Resonance please follow the link to the iMR CDT.