Placement Information
Year you started your placement
2014
Placement period
May – August, September – December
Supervisor’s name
Mathieu le Tacon
Project Details
Overview
To perform spectroscopic measurements and other characterization techniques on samples of Strontium-doped 214-Lanthanum Nickel Oxide. The main focus is through Raman Scattering, as that is the specialty of this particular lab. There are also plans to travel to ESRF in Grenoble, France to use the synchrotron there.
Other characterization techniques include the use of a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), which makes of use of a SQuID, as well as several x-ray techniques such as Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) for chemical analysis or Powder Diffraction X-ray for molecular structure analysis. These are techniques used to ensure the quality of the samples.
Project objectives
To gain a better understanding of charge ordering in the ground state of certain materials. This project is directly related to the Cuprate family of superconductors. In some Cuprates there exist charge ordered ground states for some levels of doping, and these ground states turn into superconducting states at the correct level of hole doping. In others it seems that charge ordered ground states and superconducting states go hand-in-hand. It is hopeful that this project will shed some insight into the nature and/or origin of charge ordering.
Research outcomes
Project status
Completed
Expected completion date
My Co-op Experience at MPI
Why did you apply for a placement with Max Planck Institute?
It’s in Germany and has prestige.
What recommendations do you have for students who wish to participate in MPI-UBC exchange program?
Have the mental fortitude to stave off or overcome culture shock. This placement is rich and burgeoning with scientific knowledge. Be sure to use as much of it as is possible. You will not be able to take full advantage – that’s okay. Just be smart and prioritize what you take from this position.
Also this particular institute is entirely focused on Solid State Physics, so taking Physics 474 is highly recommended. Math 322 (Group Theory) is also recommended.
Tell us about your travels and cultural experiences in Germany and the rest of the Europe
Feeling overwhelmed with work so I visited a concentration camp to help me gather my thoughts. Turns out that “concentration camp” doesn’t mean what I thought it meant.
Visited the Swedish countryside where running water, electricity, indoor heating, meat, and fish were luxuries. Thankfully I went during the summer so heating wasn’t an issue.
Spent a night in Oslo outside during peak tourism season. I wasn’t camping, I was temporarily homeless.
