Structure and magnetism of novel quantum and thermoelectric materials

新型量子和热电材料的结构和磁性

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-06449
• 负责人: Kim, YoungJune
• 金额: $ 4.44万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=691076
• 关键词: Structure; magnetism; novel; quantum; thermoelectric

The research program proposed in this application falls into the category of materials discovery research. In particular, we will focus on quantum materials, which exhibit exotic physical properties arising from quantum mechanics of their constituent electrons. One class of quantum materials which has sparked much interest recently is quantum spin liquids. It is well known that helium does not become solid even at absolute zero temperature due to strong quantum effects. Analogously, the electron spins in quantum spin liquids fail to form a static ordered state (spin solid). Instead, the quantum spin liquid state is described by a completely different type of order called topological order, which could be useful for building a quantum computer. ******Another class of material of interest is thermoelectric materials, which are studied intensively as a key element of the clean energy paradigm; they can generate electricity from solar or waste heat, and can be even used for refrigeration. Recent interest in these materials has been mostly focused on their high-temperature usage, such as waste heat recovery in automobiles. However, a large number of technologies can benefit from the improved efficiency of thermoelectric materials suitable for lower temperature applications such as thermal management of batteries in electric vehicles. ******We propose to investigate these materials utilizing various materials synthesis and characterization methods. We plan to use various synchrotron-based magnetic x-ray spectroscopy, such as resonant inelastic x-ray scattering, as well as neutron spectroscopy methods available at international user facilities. The proposed research program will also focus on developing materials research talent in Canada through training students and postdoctoral fellows in using advanced x-ray and neutron scattering experimental techniques.*****

该应用程序中提出的研究计划属于材料发现研究的类别。特别是，我们将重点关注量子材料，量子材料表现出由其组成电子的量子力学引起的外来物理特性。最近引起了极大兴趣的一类量子材料是量子自旋液体。众所周知，由于强大的量子效应，氦气即使在绝对零温度下也不会变得固体。类似地，量子自旋液体中的电子旋转无法形成静态有序状态（自旋固体）。取而代之的是，量子自旋液态由称为拓扑顺序的完全不同的顺序描述，这对于构建量子计算机可能很有用。 ******另一类感兴趣的材料是热电材料，这些材料被深入研究为清洁能量范式的关键要素。它们可以从太阳能或废热中发电，甚至可以用于制冷。最近对这些材料的兴趣主要集中在其高温使用上，例如汽车中的废热恢复。但是，大量技术可以从适合较低温度应用的热电材料的提高效率中受益，例如电动汽车中电池的热管理。 ******我们建议利用各种材料合成和表征方法研究这些材料。我们计划使用各种基于同步加速器的磁性X射线光谱，例如谐振非弹性X射线散射以及国际用户设施可用的中子光谱法。拟议的研究计划还将通过培训学生和博士后研究员来使用高级X射线和中子散射实验技术来开发加拿大的材料研究人才。*****