Growth and Physical Properties Measurements of Novel Condensed Matter Materials

技术摘要本计画研究低维固体，已知低维固体具有不寻常的导电、磁性、超导性及高度相关的电子行为。将测量热膨胀以研究它们的相变并扩展关于此类系统中维度的知识状态。蒙大拿州立大学开发的热膨胀技术提供了1/108的相对分辨率。这至少比X射线或中子衍射好1000倍。这种分辨率，再加上其他物理性质的测量，将使结构在确定物理性质，在凝聚态物理学的一个非常重要的主题的作用的评估。结果也将被用来开发和测试有关固体相变的基本热力学关系。样品制备、单晶生长、样品表征和新测量技术的开发为该项目增加了广度。该研究涉及与其他实验学家，理论家的合作，它是一个积极的指导和培训计划，涉及本科生，研究生和国际游客的核心。非技术摘要本项目研究新型化合物，已知其具有不寻常的导电和磁性形式。对这些化合物的研究有助于评估尖端技术应用的新候选物，同时回答基本科学问题。样品制备、单晶生长和样品表征是这项工作的重要组成部分;它们为学生和青年科学家提供了宝贵的培训，可以随时应用于私营部门。该项目的一个重要组成部分是以极高的相对分辨率测量热膨胀，这是蒙大拿州立大学开发的一项技术。计划中的工作将进一步改进这项技术。青年科学家将参与这些改进，同时将这一工具与其他测量方法结合应用于当前的研究问题。该项目涉及与国家实验室和大学的研究人员合作，它是一个积极的指导和培训计划的核心，涉及本科生，研究生和国际游客。

Technical AbstractThis project investigates low-dimensional solids, which are known to exhibit unusual forms of electrical conduction, magnetism, superconductivity, and highly correlated electron behavior. The thermal expansion will be measured to investigate their phase transitions and to expand the state of knowledge regarding dimensionality in such systems. The thermal expansion technique, which was developed at Montana State University, offers relative resolution of 1 part in 108. This is at least 1000 times better than x-ray or neutron diffraction. This resolution, coupled with measurement of other physical properties, will enable evaluation of the role of structure in determining the physical properties, a subject of great importance in condensed matter physics. The results will also be used to develop and test fundamental thermodynamic relationships regarding phase transitions in solids. Sample preparation, single crystal growth, specimen characterization, and the development of new measurement technologies add breadth to the project. The research involves collaboration with other experimentalists, a theoretician, and it is the core of an active mentoring and training program involving undergraduates, graduate students and international visitors. Non-Technical AbstractThis project investigates novel compounds, which are known to exhibit unusual forms of electrical conduction and magnetism. Study of these compounds helps to evaluate new candidates for applications in cutting-edge technologies, while at the same time answering questions of fundamental scientific interest. Sample preparation, single crystal growth, and specimen characterization are important components of the work; they provide valuable training to students and young scientists that can readily be applied in the private sector. A significant component of the project is the measurement of thermal expansion with extremely high relative resolution, a technique that was developed at Montana State University. Further improvements in the technique will result from the planned work. Young scientists will participate in these improvements while simultaneously applying this tool, in conjunction with other measurement methods, to current research problems. The project involves collaboration with researchers at national laboratories and universities, and it is the core of an active mentoring and training program involving undergraduates, graduate students and international visitors.