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，磁性和电气测量，以及高压下的实验（压力为1.5 GPa）将这些材料的化学和物理方面的桥梁。层状镍氧化物的研究，如单层的NiO 2-层的La 2 NiO 4化合物，有望澄清镍氧化物和超导铜氧化物之间的关系。这项工作将产生这些系统在高压下的第一次研究。设计合成和相关实验来模拟铜酸盐的磁性。其他目标化学系统包括钼氧化物和铜磷属元素化物。一个创新的高分辨率石英膨胀计，在美国唯一的同类设备，将被建造来测量亚毫米尺寸的单晶的热膨胀，从而使相变的研究。该项目的教育部分将涉及研究生和本科生的研究，也将涉及新的课堂教学方法的介绍物理。物理学导论的教学方法将通过演示和单一概念问题将积极的过程融入讲座中，旨在提高概念理解并创造更热情的学习体验。这个职业奖将使一个涉及过渡金属氧化物的研究项目的发展，以及一个教育部分，导致新的课堂教学方法的入门物理。该研究的重点是过渡金属氧化物的研究，这些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，磁性和电学测量以及高压实验在研究中发挥着重要作用，该研究跨越了化学和物理学领域。与其他机构的研究人员的一些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应变计，其在美国的唯一设备，将被建造来测量微小样品的长度变化，随着温度的变化。这将允许检测材料中发生的重要相变。研究生和本科生将获得宝贵的培训，为未来的职业生涯在高科技市场。介绍物理学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.