Research Interest

Experimental Condensed Matter Physics with special interest in Single Crystal Growth, Rare Earth Magnetism and Strongly Correlated Electron Systems:

• Discovery of New Quantum Materials and Control of Novel Quantum States
• Neutron scattering and muon spin rotation investigations
• Superconductors, Kondo Insulators and Heavy Fermion systems
• Structural, magnetic and transport characterization
• Complex magnetic behaviours; Metastability
• Magnetocaloric effect and magnetoresistance
• Glassy magnetic behavior and Itinerant Ferromagnetism

The current research interest of our group is in the field of Strongly Correlated Materials with novel electronic properties, such as High Temperature Superconductors, Topological Kondo In- sulators/Kondo Insulators and Heavy Fermions as well as Low Dimensional Magnetic systems. It is our goal to contribute to a better understanding of the basic physics of these correlated mate- rials by performing concerted experimental studies which may to help to clarify the origin of com- plex magnetism and superconductivity in these systems. For this purpose the microscopic and macroscopic magnetic and electronic properties of these materials are investigated by means of a combination of different complementary experimental techniques, including magnetization and transport (using PPMS/SQUID) and Neutron Diffraction (using WISH, D2B, D20 beam- line), Neutron Scattering (using MARI, MERLIN, IN4, IN6 beamline), Muon Spin Rotation (using MUSR, EMU, HI-Fi, ARGUS beamline) measurements.

Our group has a strong record in obtaining competitively awarded beam time at some of the world’s leading international facilities including ISIS Facility (United Kingdom) and the Institute Laue Langevin (Grenoble, France). Research collaborations currently exist with groups from around the world including the United Kingdom, Japan, South Africa, France, Germany, and India. The work of the group is regularly published in leading international journals and is frequently represented globally at conferences.

Experimental Skills

Synthesis Procedure

• Czochralski method (using Tetra-arc and induction furnace); High Temperatuer Solution Growth (Flux growth);
• Brdigman method
• Solid State reaction, Sol-Gel technique
• A belt-type high-pressure anvil cell for high pressure sample preparation
• Glove Box Synthesis; Arc Melting Furnace
• Huber Laue di.raction set up to orient the single crystals; Triple axis goniometer for orienting the single crystals . Induction Wire furnace to grow the single crystals of the compounds that melt congruently

Characterization Procedure

• Neutron scattering and muon spin rotation
• X-ray diffractometer; Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
• Superconducting Quantum Interface Device (SQUID) magnetometer (MPMS, XL, Quantum Design)
• Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS, Cryogen free high magnetic .eld system) ; PPMS Dilution Refrigerator System (DR)
• Hybrid Pressure Cell was developed by Quantum Design PPMS; Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM)

Single Crystal Growth

Single Crystal Grown and Superconducting and Magnetic properties of Strongly Correlated

Electron Systems (SCES). We employ the following methods to grow the single crystals:

• Czochralski method (using Tetra-arc and induction furnace)
• High Temperatuer Solution Growth (Flux growth)
• Brdigman method