| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/E023746/1 |
| Title: |
Investigating quantum phase transitions using designer-anvil pressure cells |
| Principal Investigator: |
Grosche, Professor FM |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Physics |
| Organisation: |
Royal Holloway, Univ of London |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research |
| Starts: |
01 February 2007 |
Ends: |
30 April 2007 |
Value (£): |
105,774
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
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24 Oct 2006
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Physics Prioritisation Panel (Science)
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Deferred
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Discovery in correlated electron systems research occurs on the boundary of known low temperature states. Next to applied magnetic field, pressure, which affords precise control over the lattice density, is the vehicle of choice for traversing quantum matter phase diagrams and seeking out novel states of matter. This project represents a radical departure in high pressure anvil cell technology: We will structure leads and detection circuits into ceramic anvils by microlithographic methods. The resulting designer anvils provide the reliability, ease of use and versatility necessary for a novel investigation into the high-pressure superconducting state of the archetypal correlated electron superconductor CeCu2Si2. In this intriguing material it appears that two distinct mechanisms can induce superconductivity in different regions of the pressure-temperature phase diagram. Both interactions originate in the Coulomb repulsion between electrons, but one - an effective magnetic interaction - dominates when the material is tuned close to the onset of magnetic order, while the other - an effective charge density interaction - prevails close to a putative transition of the lattice, in which the unit cell volume and hence the lattice density undergoes a weak first order change. In order to investigate the density change quantum phase transition in CeCu2Si2 and in related materials, a detailed study of the pressure dependence of resistivity, heat capacity and thermal expansion will be carried out into the 100 kbar regime. While the investigated pairing mechanism may have ramifications throughout the strongly correlated electron field, including the high-Tc superconductors, the envisaged high pressure technology will be beneficial for a large community of researchers interested in transport or thermodynamic experiments under anvil cell conditions.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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