PhD Studentship: Interacting Electrons and Spin-Orbit Coupling

Experimental condensed matter physics PhD looking into the electronic structure of quantum materials via photoemission experiments performed at international synchrotron facilities.

Electrons in conventional metals and semiconductors generally behave as nearly free, without interactions. However, there exist many more materials in which the charge, spin, orbital and lattice degrees of freedom are inextricably intertwined, which we call quantum materials. Such entanglement of the degrees of freedom in complex many-electron systems brings about unexpected novel phases and phenomena. When the effects of different degrees of freedom appear on similar energy scales, many exotic electronic phases such as correlated magnetic insulators and unconventional superconductors are in competition for the ground state and small perturbations can drive the system between them.

We can observe those by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), one of the most powerful techniques to directly image the electronic structure and many-body interactions in crystalline solids. We use ARPES experiments at large-scale synchrotron facilities to investigate the interplay of different exotic phases in quantum materials, and in this project, you will focus on the way correlations and spin-orbit coupling conspire to determine the electronic ground state in materials called lacunar spinels.

With the chemical formula GaM2X4 (where M is a transition metal and X a chalcogen), lacunar spinels comprise a large variety of compounds and a rich collection of exciting physical phenomena: correlated insulators with non-collinear magnetism and Skyrmion lattices, spin-orbit correlated insulators, unconventional superconductivity, and more. Their electronic structures are as yet unexplored experimentally, allowing you to be on the forefront of research into these exciting materials. This will involve careful in-house sample characterisation and preparation for short, high-intensity data collection periods on synchrotron facilities in the UK and abroad, followed by advanced large-data processing and analysis and physical modelling within the collaborative environment of the Condensed Matter group at University of Birmingham.

All highly motivated students are encouraged to contact Dr. Igor Marković at [email protected] for informal enquiries about the project.

The School of Physics and Astronomy is an Institute of Physics Juno Champion since 2014 and holder of the Athena SWAN Silver Award. Both initiatives recognise the School’s commitment to promote diversity and equality, and to encourage better practice for all members of the community, whilst also working towards developing an equitable working culture in which all students and staff can achieve their full potential. We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, and encourage applications from traditionally under-represented groups in physics and astronomy including, but not limited to, women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic.

Funding notes:
EPSRC studentships are available to UK students through the University of Birmingham which cover tuition fees and a living stipend for 3.5 years. International studentships are much more competitive, but interested exceptional students are encouraged to get in touch and pursue them.