CAREER: Synthesis and Investigation of Novel Condensed Matter Compounds and Development of a High-Resolution Capacitive Dilatometer

这个CAREER项目的重点是过渡金属氧化物和相关材料。样品合成，磁和电测量，以及高压下的实验（压力至1.5 GPa）将这些材料的化学和物理方面的桥梁。对层状氧化镍的研究，如单nio2层La2NiO4化合物，有望阐明氧化镍与超导铜酸盐之间的关系。这项工作将产生这些系统在高压下的第一个研究。设计了模拟铜酸盐磁性的合成及相关实验。其他目标化学系统包括钼氧化物和铜嘌呤。一个创新的高分辨率石英膨胀计，这是美国唯一的同类设备，将用于测量亚毫米大小的单晶的热膨胀，从而使相变的研究成为可能。该项目的教育部分将涉及研究生和本科生的研究，也将涉及物理学入门的新课堂教学方法。导论物理的教学方法将通过演示和单一概念问题将积极的过程整合到讲座中，旨在提高概念理解和创造更热情的学习体验。这个职业奖将支持一个涉及过渡金属氧化物的研究项目的发展，以及一个教育组成部分，导致新的物理入门课堂教学方法。研究的重点是过渡金属氧化物的研究，已知过渡金属氧化物具有不寻常的电和磁特性。这些材料最终可能会找到重要的技术应用。样品合成、磁和电测量以及高压实验在化学和物理领域的研究中起着重要作用。与其他机构的研究人员合作，扩大了可以在材料上进行的实验范围。一个创新的高分辨率石英膨胀计，这是美国唯一的同类设备，将被建造来测量微小标本的长度随温度变化的变化。这将允许检测发生在材料中的重要相变。研究生和本科生将为未来在高科技市场的职业生涯接受有价值的培训。导论物理的教学方法将通过演示和单一概念问题将积极的过程整合到讲座中，旨在提高概念理解和创造更热情的学习体验。

This CAREER project is focused on transition metal oxides and related materials. Specimen synthesis, magnetic and electrical measurements, and experiments under high pressure (pressures to 1.5 GPa) will bridge aspects of the chemistry and physics of these materials. Investigations of layered nickel oxides, such as the single-NiO2-layer La2NiO4 compound, are expected to clarify relations between the nickel oxides and the superconducting cuprates. This work will yield the first studies of these systems under high pressure. Syntheses and related experiments are designed to simulate the magnetism of the cuprates. Other targeted chemical systems include molybdenum oxides and the copper pnictides. An innovative high-resolution quartz dilatometer, the only device of its kind in the USA, will be constructed to measure the thermal expansion of sub-millimeter sized single crystals, thus enabling the investigation of phase transitions. The education component of the project will involving graduate and undergraduate students in the research, and will also involve new classroom teaching methods for introductory physics. The teaching method for introductory physics will integrate active processes into lectures through demonstrations and single-concept problems aimed at improving conceptual understanding and creating a more enthusiastic learning experience.%%%This CAREER award will enable the development of a research project involving transition metal oxides, and an educational component leading to new classroom teaching methods for introductory physics. The research focuses on the study of transition metal oxides which are known to exhibit unusual electrical and magnetic properties. These materials may ultimately find important technological applications. Specimen synthesis, magnetic and electrical measurements, and experiments at high pressure play major roles in the research, which spans areas of chemistry and physics. A number collaborations with researchers at other institutions extend the range of experiments that can be performed on the materials. An innovative high-resolution quartz dilatometer, the only device of its kind in the USA, will be constructed to measure the length change of tiny specimens as the temperature is varied. This will allow the detection of important phase transitions occurring in the materials. Graduate and undergraduate students will receive valuable training for future careers in the high-technology marketplace. The teaching method for introductory physics will integrate active processes into lectures through demonstrations and single-concept problems aimed at improving conceptual understanding and creating a more enthusiastic learning experience.