PhD project: Composition tuning with solid state electro-transport to look for new states in superconductors.
Project description
A new apparatus for SSE (solid state electrotransport) that we have developed will be used to finely adjust the stoichiometry of crystals to better approach ideal stoichiometry, increasing the electron mean free path. Unconventional superconductivity is extremely sensitive to electron mean free path and is completely destroyed for low values. The observation of quantum oscillations also require very high mean-free-path samples. Such measurement can be used to map the Fermi surface, one of the key inputs needed to understand microscopic properties. The work will focus on improving the quality of materials currently under study in the group, where preliminary trials indicate SSE could make dramatic improvements. The project would start with a material in which superconductivity co-exists with a charge density wave (CDW). The charge density wave is suppressed by applying a modest pressure at a quantum critical point that is linked to an enhancement of superconducting transition temperature. This material has potential to form a novel modulated superconducting state (Larkin-Ovvchinikov-Fulde-Ferrel state) at high magnetic field in cleaner samples. Such a state is modulated along the field direction and expected to be extremely sensitive to the mean free path. This PhD project would use in-house low temperature facilities to look for evidence of this state and central facilities to explore quantum oscillations at very high magnetic field to better understand the origin of the CDW and how it interacts with superconductivity.
Project supervisor
- Professor Andrew Huxley (School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh)
The project supervisor welcomes informal enquiries about this project.
Find out more about this research area
The links below summarise our research in the area(s) relevant to this project:
- Find out more about Quantum Ordering.
- Find out more about the Institute for Condensed Matter and Complex Systems.
What next?
- Find out how to apply for our PhD degrees.
- Find out about fees and funding and studentship opportunities.
- View and complete the application form (on the main University website).
- Find out how to contact us for more information.