Experimental Investigation of Quantum Materials for Fundamental Knowledge and PracticalApplications

该研究计划的目标是发现，验证和理解奇异材料中的新电子和磁性相，使用在宽温度范围内和高磁场中测量基本物理特性。待探索的材料的性质受电子的集体量子力学行为支配，包括奇异超导体，其性质受量子临界现象和受抑磁系统支配的材料。 该实验研究计划以滑铁卢大学安装的低温磁设备为中心，其温度可低至0.01 K，磁场可高达16 T。它将包括使用电容式磁致伸缩测量法测量热导率和电荷传导率以及热膨胀和磁致伸缩。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来获得感兴趣系统的真实量子力学基态。在超低温和高场条件下使用磁流变仪探测新的电子和磁相以及超低温条件下的量子临界性在加拿大是独一无二的。 通过这项研究计划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。电子是现代技术的生命线，如果我们要充分利用它们的集体量子行为用于未来的技术，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，加拿大就可以很好地瞄准特定的属性，然后可以长期开发应用。这种不受短期应用限制的知识发现过程对于变革性研究至关重要，但对社会的影响尚不清楚。至关重要的是，这一研究领域的影响记录是首屈一指的，例如晶体管，没有它的发展，我们就不会有计算机，最近的巨磁阻现在几乎用于今天制造的每一个硬盘驱动器。

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.