Research
Our research group works in the field of experimental condensed matter physics. In particular, we are interested in exploring the structural, magnetic, and electronic properties of novel materials using complementary x–ray and neutron scattering techniques. Understanding these fundamental properties is often a crucial first step towards understanding (and ultimately controlling) the exotic ground states and unusual behaviour of unconventional materials. You can learn more about the details of our ongoing research projects below. If you are interested in learning what x–rays and neutrons might be able to do for your own research, please get in touch.
Novel Materials
The families of materials that our group is currently studying include: quantum materials, low–dimensional and geometrically frustrated magnetic systems, thermoelectrics, multiferroics, and high temperature superconductors. In particular, much of our recent work has involved studying the properties of iridium–based transition metal oxides, or iridates. These materials belong to an interesting family of "spin–orbit–driven" quantum materials, which display unusual electronic and magnetic ground states due to the large spin–orbit–coupling effects that arise from heavy 5d iridium (Z = 77). This family of materials has been predicted to harbor a variety of exotic phases, including spin–orbital Mott insulators, quantum spin liquids, topological insulators, topological semimetals, and even unconventional superconductors. For a selection of recent iridate papers, please refer to the list of publications here.
More details coming soon!
More details coming soon!
Common crystal structures for iridium–based quantum materials: (left to right) the layered perovskite, honeycomb, and pyrochlore structures
X-Ray and Neutron Scattering
X–rays and neutrons are incredibly powerful tools for the study of materials. When used in combination, they are sensitive to spin, orbital, charge, and lattice degrees of freedom, and can reveal detailed information about both static properties (through elastic scattering/ diffraction) and dynamic properties (through inelastic scattering/spectroscopy). This means that x–ray and neutron scattering techniques can be used to probe both the ground state of a system and its characteristic excitations, often during the same experiment. As a result, these techniques are ideally suited for (i) identifying new states, (ii) characterizing their physical properties, and (iii) determining how they respond to perturbations such as temperature, pressure, chemical doping, and applied magnetic field.
Although it is possible to perform certain measurements using in–house lab–based equipment, the majority of our experiments are carried out at large–scale national user facilities, such as synchrotrons and neutron sources. Among the facilities we commonly use are: the Advanced Photon Source (Argonne), the Canadian Light Source (Saskatoon), the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (Ithaca), the Spallation Neutron Source (Oak Ridge), and the Canadian Neutron Beam Centre (Chalk River).
Although it is possible to perform certain measurements using in–house lab–based equipment, the majority of our experiments are carried out at large–scale national user facilities, such as synchrotrons and neutron sources. Among the facilities we commonly use are: the Advanced Photon Source (Argonne), the Canadian Light Source (Saskatoon), the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (Ithaca), the Spallation Neutron Source (Oak Ridge), and the Canadian Neutron Beam Centre (Chalk River).