Scattering studies of emergent phenomena at extreme conditions of magnetic field and temperature.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
This proposal asks for funding to construct a dilution refrigerator insert for the 17 T cryomagnet previously constructed with EPSRC funds (grant EP/G027161). This cryomagnet is currently being used at neutron scattering facilities throughout the European Economic Area, and is available for use by user groups unconnected with Birmingham, with any necessary support to be provided by us. With the dilution refrigerator insert, the cryomagnet will be able to cover a much larger range of desired experimental materials, without compromising the work that can already be done over the temperature range 2 K to 330 K. At present, this is the largest horizontal magnetic field available for use at any neutron scattering facility. Because small angle neutron scattering is of use to a large number of research communities, being able to move the cryomagnet around from facility to facility maximizes its utility, as it would not be in use full time at any one particular institution.
At present, this equipment has been used, amongst other things, to study the fundamental properties of cuprate superconductors and iron-based superconductors and the effects of magnetic fields on colloidal suspensions of fd virus. We propose to use it to look for anticipated single Landau level effects brought about by high fields in bismuth, as well as flux lines in Pauli-limited superconductors and non-centrosymmetric superconductors, and quantum magnetic ordering.
By extending the temperature range downwards by almost two orders of magnitude, we will be able to extend the research programme into a region where many emergent condensed matter phenomena occur. For instance, heavy fermion superconductors provide fascinating examples of unconventional superconducting phases arising from novel interactions. With the mK region accessible, the cryomagnet is well suited to the critical fields typical for these materials, so that most of their superconducting phase diagrams can be explored. This also makes it easier to investigate the effects of Pauli-limited superconductivity in heavy fermion and pnictide materials.
In addition, this grant will support use of all of the cryomagnet's capabilities by both ourselves and other user groups. As an example, some of our collaborators are very interested in using the cryomagnet to extend studies of magnetic alignment of mesoscopic structures in suspension. We will also be commissioning the cryomagnet at several other facilities, including synchrotron sources, with necessary adaptations to be driven by our collaborators.
At present, this equipment has been used, amongst other things, to study the fundamental properties of cuprate superconductors and iron-based superconductors and the effects of magnetic fields on colloidal suspensions of fd virus. We propose to use it to look for anticipated single Landau level effects brought about by high fields in bismuth, as well as flux lines in Pauli-limited superconductors and non-centrosymmetric superconductors, and quantum magnetic ordering.
By extending the temperature range downwards by almost two orders of magnitude, we will be able to extend the research programme into a region where many emergent condensed matter phenomena occur. For instance, heavy fermion superconductors provide fascinating examples of unconventional superconducting phases arising from novel interactions. With the mK region accessible, the cryomagnet is well suited to the critical fields typical for these materials, so that most of their superconducting phase diagrams can be explored. This also makes it easier to investigate the effects of Pauli-limited superconductivity in heavy fermion and pnictide materials.
In addition, this grant will support use of all of the cryomagnet's capabilities by both ourselves and other user groups. As an example, some of our collaborators are very interested in using the cryomagnet to extend studies of magnetic alignment of mesoscopic structures in suspension. We will also be commissioning the cryomagnet at several other facilities, including synchrotron sources, with necessary adaptations to be driven by our collaborators.
Planned Impact
This project focuses on knowledge generation by pushing the experimental boundaries of what can be achieved in terms of combined magnetic fields and low temperatures at neutron and x-ray scattering facilities. This will be done by developing and commissioning a dilution refrigerator insert for a 17 T cryomagnet previously funded by EPSRC, lowering the base temperature accessible by nearly two orders of magnitude.
This new capability will be made available to other users through the proposal systems of the various large-scale facilities in the European Economic Area open to applications from UK users. This covers a range of scientific areas, from superconductivity, to magnetic devices, to studies of soft matter, such as viruses. Not all of these topics fall within our own scientific expertise, and so at the moment, we are not able to accurately assess the potential impact of these studies, but by involving as many other scientists we can, we maximize the value-for-money of this EPSRC-funded resource, and its likely impact on a broader scale.
To do this, we shall continue to publicise the cryomagnet and its capabilities to other scientists, by presenting the magnet and results obtained with it at suitable conferences. The facilities where it has been successfully commissioned, and may be used by other users, will be listed on our group website. This has a secondary benefit: by travelling to various large facilities in the European Economic Area, and presenting results obtained with this magnet, built by the UK company Cryogenic Ltd., we provide positive advertising for the company. To date, they have been contacted by two other groups interested in similar magnet systems.
As an example of potential impact outside our own area of scientific interest, one group has proposed a study of NdFeB magnets in high fields, to monitor changes in domain structure as a function of field. The aim of this work is to improve the functionality of the magnets at higher fields by assessing the role of composition and defects on the magnet quality. The results from this will filter through to manufacturers of NdFeB magnets very quickly. To show the breadth of possibilities, another idea that could be tested is that of using large magnetic fields to align mesoscopic materials to form photonic crystals.
This new capability will be made available to other users through the proposal systems of the various large-scale facilities in the European Economic Area open to applications from UK users. This covers a range of scientific areas, from superconductivity, to magnetic devices, to studies of soft matter, such as viruses. Not all of these topics fall within our own scientific expertise, and so at the moment, we are not able to accurately assess the potential impact of these studies, but by involving as many other scientists we can, we maximize the value-for-money of this EPSRC-funded resource, and its likely impact on a broader scale.
To do this, we shall continue to publicise the cryomagnet and its capabilities to other scientists, by presenting the magnet and results obtained with it at suitable conferences. The facilities where it has been successfully commissioned, and may be used by other users, will be listed on our group website. This has a secondary benefit: by travelling to various large facilities in the European Economic Area, and presenting results obtained with this magnet, built by the UK company Cryogenic Ltd., we provide positive advertising for the company. To date, they have been contacted by two other groups interested in similar magnet systems.
As an example of potential impact outside our own area of scientific interest, one group has proposed a study of NdFeB magnets in high fields, to monitor changes in domain structure as a function of field. The aim of this work is to improve the functionality of the magnets at higher fields by assessing the role of composition and defects on the magnet quality. The results from this will filter through to manufacturers of NdFeB magnets very quickly. To show the breadth of possibilities, another idea that could be tested is that of using large magnetic fields to align mesoscopic materials to form photonic crystals.
Organisations
- University of Birmingham (Lead Research Organisation)
- Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres (Collaboration)
- Institut Laue-Langevin (Project Partner)
- Paul Scherrer Institute (Project Partner)
- Okayama University (Project Partner)
- Wlodzimierz Trzebiatowski Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research (Project Partner)
- University of Bristol (Project Partner)
- Diamond Light Source (Project Partner)
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (Project Partner)
- University of Warwick (Project Partner)
- Science and Technology Facilities Council (Project Partner)
- University of Edinburgh (Project Partner)
- Ochanomizu University (Project Partner)
Publications
Shen L
(2017)
Absence of magnetic long-range order in Y 2 CrSbO 7 : Bond-disorder-induced magnetic frustration in a ferromagnetic pyrochlore
in Physical Review B
Lim J
(2014)
Coherent magnetic diffraction from the uranium M 4 edge in the multi-k magnet, USb
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Hücker M
(2014)
Competing charge, spin, and superconducting orders in underdoped YBa 2 Cu 3 O y
in Physical Review B
Chang J
(2012)
Direct observation of competition between superconductivity and charge density wave order in YBa2Cu3O6.67
in Nature Physics
Bick J
(2013)
Exchange-stiffness constant of a Nd-Fe-B based nanocomposite determined by magnetic neutron scattering
in Applied Physics Letters
Cameron A
(2014)
High magnetic field studies of the vortex lattice structure in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7
in Physical Review B
Blackburn E
(2013)
Inelastic x-ray study of phonon broadening and charge-density wave formation in ortho-II-ordered YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6.54
in Physical Review B
Shen L
(2022)
Inhomogeneous spin excitations in weakly coupled spin- 1 2 chains
in Physical Review Research
Description | The main goal of this grant was to develop a dilution refrigeration system that could be fitted into the 17 T cryomagnet, constructed using a previous EPSRC grant, for use in X-ray and neutron scattering. This goal has been achieved. We have cooled to below 100 mK, and been able to maintain temperatures for a lengthy period of time. We are also able to remove the dilution refrigerator and replace with a standard VTI for experiments that do not require this. With this, X-ray and neutron scattering experiments can now for the first time be carried out at temperatures below 1.5 K in magnetic fields up to 17 T. This combination opens up new areas of investigation, particularly for unconventional superconductors. We have carried out a series of successful experiments on unconventional superconductors, and a large number of these have now been published, while some work is still being written up. The dilution refrigerator is an unusual horizontal design, with an annular mixing chamber. The design and construction were all completed at Birmingham, using some techniques developed in collaboration with the jewellery industry in Birmingham. The secondary goal of the grant was, during the development of this dilution refrigerator, to use the magnet in its previous configuration to carry out further experiments on the behaviour of a range of materials in extreme conditions of field and temperature. Most notably, we have discovered a new ordered state common to the high temperature superconductors using this magnet, and have been busy exploring this state. We have also found that previous theoretical ideas regarding the properties of superconductors at high fields appear to break down, from studies of the vortex lattice in some of these materials. These issues are still under exploration. |
Exploitation Route | We comnpleted a contract with the Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin to build a similar dilution refrigeration option for their own 26 T horizontal magnet for neutron scattering in 2019. We have collected data with this, as have other groups. Our equipment has been used by other groups for experiments at the Institut Laue Langevin, including users from condensed matter physics, organic chemistry and protein crystallography. |
Sectors | Education Energy Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology Other |
URL | http://www.cm.ph.bham.ac.uk/publications/publications.html |
Description | As a result of the technical developments in this work, we completed contract with the Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin to use the expertise developed in dilution refrigeration in high magnetic fields to build a dilution refrigerator to operate at 26 T. This has been bult and delivered. Part of this expertise has involved collaboration with local Birmingham jewellery expertise, for manufacturing pieces from bespoke silver alloys. |
First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
Sector | Other |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | UK Neutron Strategy Panel |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | EPSRC ISF 2016 - Developing Leaders |
Amount | £9,735 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/P511286/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2016 |
End | 03/2017 |
Description | Leverhulme Trust Emeritus Fellowship |
Amount | £21,830 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2015 |
End | 11/2017 |
Title | Holmes Bayes |
Description | A new method of analysing data using Bayesian inference was implemented, to analyse small angle neutron scattering data. |
Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Since publication of the paper detailing this method, the software associated with it has been disseminated to a number of other research groups and research facilities, and it has been used to treat data in a number of subsequent publications and PhD theses. |
Description | UoB HZB project to expand the available temperature range at the HZB High Field Magnet to temperatures below 0.5 K |
Organisation | Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres |
Department | Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin for Materials and Energy |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Our research team will be building a dilution refrigerator, using the expertise generated in EPSRC award EP/J016977/1, for use in the HZB High Field Magnet. We will then carry out some of the initial experiments with this unique combination of capabilities. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partners are supplying some of the hardware, and will be installing the final result at their institute for general use by the research community. |
Impact | Not as yet. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Title | Bayesian analysis add-on for the software GRASP |
Description | An add-on to a pre-existing software package (GRASP) written by Charles Dewhurst. The add-no allows full Bayesian analysis of small angle neutron scattering data, providing better analysis of experimental results contained. The program is detailed in a publication, A. T. Holmes, Phys. Rev. B 90 024514 (2014). |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Open Source License? | Yes |
Impact | The software has been adopted by several research teams around the world for this data analysis, and several publications have appeared using data treated by this program. |
Description | EPS Res Conf |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Research conference held by University bringing together researchers from across all disciplines in the University. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Magnetism 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | National level conference; I was invited to provide an overview on magnetic vortices in superconductors. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Moreton Hall School |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | School visit. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | OpenDays |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Open Days for the local community to visit the campus to find out about university activities. The audience is usually a mix of A-level students visiting universities and the local public. I have spoken about my area of research and provided multiple demonstrations. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015 |
Description | Pint of Science |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was an international festival, in a particular week, with science talks held in pubs at multiple locations around the world. For my talk, on our 17 T magnet and work done with this, there was an audience of around 30 people of a spread of ages and background interests. After the talk there was a lively discussion. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://pintofscience.com/ |
Description | RAL |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 30 people attended seminar on research results. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | RIXS UCL |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Meeting to establish interest in the UK for pursuing free-electron laser technologies and access. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |