PhD Studentship: Imaging Quantum Materials with an XFEL

Supervisory Team: Professor Marcus Newton 

Project description

Quantum materials can often exhibit novel and multifunctional properties due to strong coupling between lattice, charge, spin and orbital degrees of freedom. When perturbed into an excited state, non-equilibrium phases often emerge on the femtosecond timescale. They include light-induced superconductivity, terahertz-induced ferroelectricity and ultra-fast solid-phase structural transformations. Understanding non-equilibrium phases in quantum materials is of great interest for the development of next generation technologies and to better understand the underlying mechanisms. To further understand these hidden phases, tools to probe quantum materials with femto-second time-resolution are required.  

X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) facilities such as the European XFEL and the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) XFEL are unprecedented in providing ultra-short pulses of coherent x-rays that make it possible to measure ultra-fast dynamics in quantum materials simultaneously with nanoscale spatial resolution and femto-second time resolution. While preliminary work has begun on the use of XFELs to study quantum behaviour in materials, there are a wide range of strongly correlated materials that exhibit novel behaviour that is not well understood.  

This project will investigate structural phenomena in nanoscale quantum materials using time-resolved Bragg coherent diffraction imaging (BCDI) at various XFEL facilities. Prototypical material systems include but are not limited to perovskites such as bismuth ferrite and binary oxides such as vanadium dioxide. The overall aim is to directly observe atomic motions during the event of a quantum phase transition. The ability to quantitatively observe atomic motions within the transition state region where atoms exchange nuclear configurations will greatly facilitate our understanding of the physical processes. 

This project is fully funded for 3.5 years, supervised by Professor Marcus Newton and will benefit from access to the European XFEL, Swiss XFEL, SACLA XFEL and PAL XFEL. A background in physics, materials science or inorganic chemistry is desirable but not essential. To discuss the project informally, please contact Professor Marcus Newton, email: M.C.Newton@soton.ac.uk. 

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Professor Marcus Newton. Email: M.C.Newton@soton.ac.uk 

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent). 

Closing Date: Applications should be received no later than 31 August 2023 for standard admissions, but later applications may be considered depending on the funds remaining in place. 

Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £17,668 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years. 

How To Apply

Applications are invited online. When completing the online form, Select “Programme type: Research”, “Academic Year: 2022/23”, “Faculty: Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering”. Then select the “PhD Physics (Full time)” course title. Once logged on, in the supervisor name field, insert “Marcus Newton”. 

Applications should include:

Research Proposal

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts to date 

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk 

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