Infrared Spectroscopy of High-Tc Superconductors in High Magnetic Field

这个个人研究项目的重点是利用红外光谱研究高T_c超导体在强磁场中的电动力学。通过使用系统的光谱测量，在一个涉及高磁场、低温度、红外频率的具有挑战性的参数空间中，预计高温超导领域的一些长期存在的问题将得到解决。建议的测量将集中在高T_c材料中涡旋态的研究，绝缘体-超导体转变边界上电子输运的出现，以及在超导电性被强磁场抑制的情况下正常态响应的研究。在一个具有挑战性的实验项目中整合研究和教育，将有助于在凝聚态物理、光学和材料科学的合并中培养具有该领域专业知识的高技能人才。使用国家强磁场实验室的国家设施将极大地有利于对毕业生的培训。铜氧化物高温超导电性的起源是当代物理学中尚未解决的中心问题之一。对高T_c机制的探索涉及凝聚态的很大一部分，并且已经在凝聚态科学中产生了全新的概念。这项提案中描述的新举措将通过解决至关重要的问题，极大地促进我们目前对高TC现象的理解。具体地说，该程序旨在详细研究高T_c超导体在以前未探索的参数空间中的电动力学，包括强磁场、低温和红外频率范围。研究活动将自然地融合凝聚态物理、光学和材料科学的边界。在美国国家研究委员会最近的一份报告中，这种特殊的组合被确定为未来技术的“关键推动者”，“有望对21世纪的生活产生无处不在的影响”。这一具有挑战性的研究项目将成为研究生的一个独特的培训基地。国家科学基金会的资助将扩大目前研究生教育中代表性不足的群体的参与。

This individual investigator project is focused on investigations of the electrodynamics of high-Tc superconductors in high magnetic fields using infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Through the use of systematic spectroscopic measurements, in a challenging parameter space involving high magnetic fields, low temperature, IR frequencies, it is expected that some of the long-standing issues in the area of high-Tc superconductivity will be resolved. Proposed measurements will focus on the examination of the vortex state in high-Tc materials, emergence of the electronic transport across the boundary of the insulator-superconductor transition as well as on the investigations of the normal state response in the regime where superconductivity is suppressed by high magnetic field. The integration of research and education within a challenging experimental project will aid the preparation of highly skilled personnel with expertise in the area at the merger of condensed matter physics, optics and materials science. Training of graduates will tremendously benefit from the use of national facilities at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. The origin of high-Tc superconductivity in the copper oxides is one of the central unsolved problems in contemporary physics. The search for the high-Tc mechanism involves a large fraction of the condensed matter community and has already led to entirely new concepts in condensed matter science. New initiatives described in this proposal will significantly advance our present understanding of the high-Tc phenomenon by way of addressing critically important questions. Specifically, the proposed program is aimed at detailed investigations of the electrodynamics of high-Tc superconductors in the previously unexplored parameter space involving high magnetic fields, low temperatures and infrared frequency range. The research activities will naturally merge the boundaries of condensed matter physics, optics and material science. This particular combination has been identified as "critical enabler" of future technology that "promises to have a pervasive impact on life in the 21st century" in a recent report of the National Research Council. This challenging research program will serve as a unique training ground for graduate students. NSF funding will broaden participation of groups currently underrepresented in graduate education.