MRI-R2: Acquisition of the Optical Cryostat for Research and Teaching

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0958349GasparovU. of North FloridaTechnical Summary: This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). Understanding of correlated electron compounds is a particularly important subject in condensed matter physics. The nature of the structural transition (Verwey transition) in magnetite and mechanism of the superconducting transition in Fe-pnictides are among the problems that will be addressed by the proposed acquisition of the versatile helium-bath optical cryostat. Extended low temperature capability when coupled with the existing high pressure capability will yield new data critical for understanding the physics of the compounds under investigation. Two groups from the University of North Florida (UNF), a group from the Geophysical Laboratory in Washington, DC, and a group from the University of Florida (UF) will benefit from the acquisition. The proposed experimental work builds on the PI?s extensive expertise in optical spectroscopy of correlated electron systems. The PI?s Raman laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art spectroscopic equipment. Critical low temperature capability of the proposed cryostat will substantially expand the scope of problems accessible to the PI. The project will strengthen the physics program at UNF and contribute to the development of the Master?s program in materials science. It will also reinforce the ongoing collaboration between leading research institutions (UF, Geophysical Laboratory) and a growing predominately undergraduate university (UNF). The students employed in this research program will benefit significantly by working in a modern research environment. This project will introduce high school students into the atmosphere of a university, it will introduce UNF undergraduates to the atmosphere of a major research institution, and it will generate future graduate students.Layman Summary: This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). Correlated electron systems form a very important family of compounds. In these materials electrons are equally affected by interaction between each other and interaction between surrounding ions. The balance between these interactions is fragile and can be easily broken leading to an abrupt change in the material?s properties when these materials are cooled down below certain critical temperature or put under high pressure. For instance, newly discovered Fe-pnictides display zero resistance at low temperature and high pressure. Other materials such as magnetite become more resistive when cooled down. Understanding of the mechanism leading to these abrupt changes is important for materials science and will lead to new applications. Optical spectroscopy laboratory at the University of North Florida (UNF) hosts superb spectroscopic equipment. Acquisition of the proposed state-of-the-art cryostat will provide critical low temperature capability to conduct spectroscopic research of correlated electron materials. This capability is leveraged by the available high-pressure capability. The proposed cryostat will enhance research and teaching infrastructure at UNF. It will strengthen the physics program and contribute to the development of the Master?s program in materials science. It will reinforce the ongoing collaboration between a growing predominately undergraduate university (UNF) and leading research institutions (University of Florida and Geophysical Laboratory). The students employed in this research program will work in a modern research environment and develop vital problem-solving skills. This project will introduce high school students into the atmosphere of a university, it will introduce UNF undergraduates to the atmosphere of a major research institution, it will generate future graduate students in a critical science and engineering field.