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Research topics

Single crystal growth of tunable coupled-dimer systems and triangular antiferromagnets

The project aims at the preparation of high-quality single crystals for the systematic experimental investigation of the condensation of magnetic excitations in quantum magnets. The systems selected for this approach are alkali-copper-silicates and earth-alkali halogen cuprates including the recently intensively discussed BEC systems Cs₂CuCl₄ and BaCuSi₂O₆.

Iron Pnictide Superconductors

The focus of this project lies on the synthesis of high-quality samples of Fe-pnictide and related superconductors, and the achievement of a detailed understanding of their structural, magnetic and superconducting properties. Special emphasis will be placed on high-pressure synthesis – a promising technique for obtaining high-T materials in this class of superconductors.

Materials close to a Quantum Critical Point

We are interested in Yb-based materials with strongly correlated 4f-electrons. Here, we focus on compounds in the vicinity of quantum critical points to explore the rich phase diagrams including heavy fermion superconductivity, spin liquid and other exotic ground states induced by pressure, doping or magnetic field. In this respect, materials without inversion symmetry, with ferromagnetic correlations and/or layered crystal structure can be challenging candidates to look at. The present focus is on the new ferromagnetic YbNi₄P₂ as well as certain substitution series of the prototypical YbRh₂Si₂.