MRI: Acquisition of a Quantum Design Physical Properties Measurement System for Materials Research and Education

该重大研究仪器（MRI）奖项支持收购无冷冻剂量子设计物理特性测量系统（PPMS DynaCool）。该仪器使伯明翰亚拉巴马大学（UAB）的材料研究具有新的跨学科实验能力。PPMS将大大加速UAB物理学的材料研究计划，该计划在很大程度上依赖于对多种材料特性的表征。此外，PPMS将促进与UAB，历史上的黑人学院和大学，小学本科院校和私人研究机构的其他材料研究小组的新合作。新的能力将使该部门的成功作为材料研究和教育中心在中部亚拉巴马地区。该工具通过研究，教育和推广活动直接有利于不同的研究生和本科生，高中生和STEM教师的教育和培训。在伯明翰McWane科学中心，将开发并在推广计划中使用材料性能和应用的先进表征展览，以促进公众的科学素养，并激励K-12追求STEM领域的教育和职业。量子设计物理性能测量系统（PPMS）将促进UAB的材料研究。多功能测量模块的低温温度低至1.9 K，外加磁场高达9 T，将使广泛的材料研究项目成为可能，包括i）拓扑磁性材料的压力控制，ii）极压下稀土金属的磁转变研究，iii）确定电子应用中超宽带隙半导体的电荷载流子，iv）新型激光材料的发现和表征，v）在用于能量和光电应用的低温条件下在混合钙钛矿系统中实现激子物理，vi）扩展功能纳米纤维的分析方法，以及vii）发现具有超晶格结构的新超导体。UAB物理学目前正在进行的研究活动的成功取决于多种材料特性的表征，包括电输运/超导性，磁性，热，以及在外部刺激（温度，压力和磁场）下的光学特性。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award supports the acquisition of a cryogen-free Quantum Design Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS DynaCool). This instrument enables new interdisciplinary experimental capability of materials research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The PPMS will significantly accelerate the material research program at UAB physics which heavily depends on the characterization of a multitude of material properties. Furthermore, the PPMS will facilitate new collaborations with other materials research groups at UAB, Historically Black College and University, Primary Undergraduate Institution, and private research institution. The new capability will enable the department’s success as a materials research and education hub in the central Alabama area. The instrument directly benefits the education and training of diverse graduate and undergraduate students, high-school students, and STEM teachers through research, education, and outreach activities. Exhibits on the advanced characterization of materials properties and applications will be developed and used in outreach programs at McWane Science Center in Birmingham to promote science literacy in the general public and inspire K-12 in pursuit of education and careers in STEM areas.The Quantum Design Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS) will catalyze materials research at UAB. The multi-functional measurement modules with cryogenic temperature down to 1.9 K coupled with an external magnetic field up to 9 T will enable a broad spectrum of materials research projects including i) pressure control of topological magnetic materials, ii) studying of magnetic transitions in rare earth metals under extreme pressure, iii) determining charge carrier of ultra-wide band gap semiconductors for electronic applications, iv) discovery and characterization of novel laser materials, v) enabling excitonic physics in hybrid perovskite systems at cryogenic condition for energy and optoelectronic applications, vi) expanding the analysis methods for functional nanofibers, and vii) discovering new superconductors with superlattice structures. The success of current ongoing research activities at UAB physics depends on the characterization of a multitude of material properties including electrical transport/superconductivity, magnetism, thermal, and optical properties under external stimuli (temperature, pressure, and magnetic field). The new capability will expand research in quantum materials, foster new intra-departmental and inter-institutional collaborations, and promote the training of a skilled STEM workforce.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.