Inter-american materials research: high pressure studies of quantum phase transitions by muon spin relaxation and complementary methods

量子相变发生在绝对零度的物质的电子相间。因此，对这种相变的研究是当前凝聚态物理的一个关键主题。流体静压已经成为通过量子相变来调节系统的一个关键参数。在这个提议中，我们的目标是建立在高压研究的最新进展的基础上，以发展一种独特的高压能力来进行介子自旋弛豫测量。介子自旋弛豫是一种对材料的极灵敏的磁探针。在这个提议下，我们将为高质量单晶的高压/低温实验开发新的能力.这些实验的晶体将在我们位于麦克马斯特大学和多伦多大学的实验室合成。这次合作涉及来自加拿大的物理学家(麦克马斯特大学，多伦多大学和TRIUMF)、美国(哥伦比亚大学和肯塔基大学)、阿根廷(Bariloche)和巴西(CBPF-Rio)。

Quantum phase transitions occur between electronic phases of matter at absolute zero temperature.  The study of such phase transitions is a key theme of current condensed matter physics.  Hydrostatic pressure has emerged as a key parameter for tuning a system through a quantum phase transition.  In this proposal we aim to build on recent advances in high pressure research to develop a unique high pressure capability for performing muon spin relaxation measurements.  Muon spin relaxation is a supremely sensitive magnetic probe of materials.  Under this proposal we will develop new capabilities for high-pressure/low-temperature experiments on high quality single crystals.  Crystals for these experiments will be synthesized in our laboratories at McMaster University and the University of Toronto.This collaboration involves physicists from Canada (McMaster University, the University of Toronto and TRIUMF), the United States (Columbia University and the University of Kentucky), Argentina (Bariloche) and Brazil (CBPF-Rio).