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下物质的电子相之间。 对这种相变的研究是当前凝聚态物理学的一个关键主题。 流体静压已经成为通过量子相变调节系统的关键参数。 在这个建议中，我们的目标是建立在高压研究的最新进展，开发一个独特的高压能力进行μ子自旋弛豫测量。 μ子自旋弛豫是一种极其灵敏的材料磁性探测方法。 根据这项提议，我们将开发高质量单晶的高压/低温实验的新能力。 这些实验所需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，参与这项合作的物理学家来自加拿大（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州大学）、阿根廷（巴里洛切）和巴西（里约CBPF）。

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).