Placement Information
Year you started your placement
2017
Placement period
May – August, September – December
Supervisor’s name
Andreas Schnyder
Project Details
Overview
I am using the different symmetries found in crystals to predict degenerate energy levels in their band structure.
Project objectives
To find degeneracies at high symmetry points using methods such as representation theory and the commutation relations of symmetry operators.
Research outcomes
Project status
Completed
Jonathan Zhang_2017_Presentation
Jonathan Zhang_2017_Poster
My Co-op Experience at MPI
Why did you apply for a placement with Max Planck Institute?
The Max Planck Institutes are some of the leading facilities for science, and working here gives me a chance to further my scientific knowledge as well as explore Germany.
What recommendations do you have for students who wish to participate in MPI-UBC exchange program?
Learning German, while not strictly necessary, is very useful for day-to-day life. Additionally, taking courses that are relevant to the institute you want to go to would be very helpful; I’m currently working at the Institute for Solid State Research, and taking the Introduction to Solid State Physics would have been quite helpful!
Tell us about your travels and cultural experiences in Germany and the rest of the Europe
People in Germany have been very helpful; most of them speak English, so you’ll always be able to get help if you need it. I’ve travelled through some Eastern European countries so far, such as Croatia and Slovenia. The Plitvice lakes in Croatia are particularly beautiful, and I would strongly recommend going there. Of course, there’s a lot to explore in Germany as well; each province has a different culture and has different foods to try, and travel is quite cheap, so there’s lots of opportunities for travel!
