Experimental Investigation of Quantum Materials for Fundamental Knowledge and Practical Applications

量子材料实验研究的基础知识和实际应用

• 批准号: RGPIN-2014-05785
• 负责人: Hill, Robert
• 金额: $ 2.4万
• 依托单位: University of Waterloo
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2014-01-01 至 2015-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=567388
• 关键词: Experimental; Investigation; Quantum; Materials; Fundamental

The goal of this research program is to discover, characterise and understand novel electronic and magnetic phases in exotic materials using measurements of fundamental physical properties over a wide range of temperatures and in high magnetic fields. The materials to be explored have their properties dominated by the collective quantum mechanical behaviour of electrons, including exotic superconductors, materials whose properties are governed by quantum critical phenomena and frustrated magnetic systems. This experimental research program is centered around cryomagnetic facilities installed at the University of Waterloo that can reach temperatures as low as 0.01 K, and magnetic fields as high as 16 T. It will consist of measurements of thermal and charge conductivity, and thermal expansion and magnetostriction using capacitive dilatometry. In the study of fundamental properties, we gain access to the true quantum mechanical ground state of the systems of interest by performing all measurements to ultra-low temperatures and if necessary high magnetic fields. The use of dilatometry at ultra-low temperatures and high fields to probe novel electronic and magnetic phases and quantum criticality at ultra-low temperatures is unique in Canada. The foundational knowledge that will be generated through this research program is important because it underpins all technology-related disciplines. Electrons are the lifeblood of modern technology, if we are to fully harness their collective quantum behaviour for future technologies, then we need a complete fundamental understanding of such phenomena. With this knowledge in hand, Canada is well-place to target specific properties, which can then be developed for applications over the long term. This process of knowledge discovery unfettered by near-term applications is crucial for transformative research with as yet unknown impact on society. Crucially, the track record for impact from this area of research is second to none with glittering examples such as the transistor, without whose development we would have no computers, and more recently giant magneto-resistance now used in virtually every hard-drive manufactured today.

该研究计划的目标是通过在大范围温度和高磁场下测量基本物理性质来发现，表征和理解奇异材料中的新型电子和磁相。待探索的材料的性质由电子的集体量子力学行为主导，包括外来超导体、性质由量子临界现象和受挫磁系统控制的材料。该实验研究项目以安装在滑铁卢大学的低温磁设备为中心，该设备可以达到低至0.01 K的温度，高达16 t的磁场。它将包括热导率和电荷导电性的测量，以及热膨胀和磁致伸缩的测量。在基本性质的研究中，我们通过对超低温和必要时的高磁场进行所有测量，获得了感兴趣系统的真正量子力学基态。在超低温和高场下使用膨胀测量法来探测超低温下的新型电子和磁相以及量子临界性在加拿大是独一无二的。通过这个研究项目产生的基础知识非常重要，因为它支撑着所有与技术相关的学科。电子是现代技术的命脉，如果我们要在未来的技术中充分利用它们的集体量子行为，那么我们需要对这种现象有一个完整的基本理解。有了这些知识，加拿大是一个很好的地方，可以针对特定的属性，然后可以长期开发应用程序。这种不受近期应用限制的知识发现过程对于对社会产生未知影响的变革性研究至关重要。至关重要的是，这一研究领域的影响记录是无与伦比的，比如晶体管，没有它的发展，我们就没有计算机，最近的巨型磁阻现在几乎用于今天制造的每一个硬盘驱动器。