A New Window for the Control and Measurement of Quantum Systems

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The project aims to create a new type of experimental probe for magnetism in quantum matter which will enable us to simultaneously create and measure new quantum states. Our innovation will combine the technique of magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) with high pressure methods at low temperatures producing a new HP-LT-MOKE measurement system. MOKE is an optical technique traditionally used for the study of magnetic properties of thin film devices. High pressure techniques have a wide range of applications and can alter many material properties in a controlled way including a range of quantum phenomena and phases. The properties of materials are strongly modified by high pressure. Applying pressure pushes the atoms closer together and in so doing can alter not only the materials' atomic crystal structure, but also change their electronic and magnetic properties. We can employ pressure "quantum tuning" in which the pressure applied to samples can be used to cleanly and precisely "push" materials into new states of matter which cannot be readily observed at ambient conditions, or can subtly change properties, such as the band gap in semiconductors. The nature of the states produced is intrinsically linked to the crystal structure and the nature of the magnetic and electronic order in the system. The study of the border of ferromagnetism is of great interest due to the possibility of unconventional superconductivity, non-Fermi liquid behaviour and other exotic phenomena near quantum critical points. The effects are both theoretically significant and of practical importance being relevant to, for example magnetic recording, magnetic refrigeration and energy technologies.