A Materials Characterization Instrument for Condensed Matter Physics Laboratories

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9451949 Cunningham Recognizing the importance of condensed matter physics in undergraduate science education, Grinnell College seeks to acquire a variable temperature, high-magnetic field materials characterization instrument that will be used to integrate condensed matter physics experiments into the physics curriculum. In keeping with Grinnell's emphasis on innovation in teaching and practical experience for students, the physics department envisions a highly flexible instrument which can be used to measure the resistivity, the dc magnetization, and the ac magnetic susceptibility of a variety of samples. The proposed instrument will enhance the intermediate and advanced laboratories with five new condensed matter experiments: the Hall effect, the quantum Hall effect, the de Haas-van Alphen effect, Curie's law, and the critical magnetic field of superconductors. These new experiments will enrich the experience of students in condensed matter physics by allowing them to explore in the laboratory phenomena which they currently encounter only in textbooks. Through this laboratory experience, students will explore general concepts, observe important physical phenomena, and learn experimental techniques in low-temperature and condensed matter physics. In addition, the proposed instrument will enable advanced students to do independent projects and summer research in condensed matter physics.