Placement Information
Year you started your placement
2016
Placement period
May – August, September – December
Supervisor’s name
Christian Ast
Project Details
Overview
In the past 3 months, I have been working with MATLAB and Simulink to simulate a Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) and Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy (STS). My STM simulation is able to take in real data measured from an STM in the form of an .sxm file, and recreate the image by scanning over the surface. My STS simulation can correctly use a lock-in amplifier to reproduce the density of states of a superconducting surface. Just recently I began working on a project where I would use a lock-in amplification technique on single spins on a sample surface. The spins can be manipulated through Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), by exciting transitions between states using photons with the appropriate energies.
Project objectives
My project is a feasibility study, to see if my supervisor’s idea can come to fruition. We are hoping to be able to lock onto signals that are orders of magnitude smaller than noise, and extracting information.
Research outcomes
Project status
Completed
Expected completion date
12/23/2016
My Co-op Experience at MPI
Why did you apply for a placement with Max Planck Institute?
At the time of application, I have not yet had any proper research experience, therefore I was hoping to get a research position. I have never considered leaving Canada, let alone Vancouver, until Javed recommended me a position at MPI. I knew that MPI had a great reputation among the scientific community so I thought that it would be an amazing opportunity to be able to work here.
What recommendations do you have for students who wish to participate in MPI-UBC exchange program?
Take advantage of all the opportunities you get. Though this can be applied generally in life, I believe that by being here, you have an incredibly wide variety of fantastic resources and opportunities. Do not let these go to waste!
On a more technical note, it definitely pays to learn some coding before coming here. I would also recommend reading a book on Solid State Physics and getting an idea of what you will be working on.
Finally, it would be a wise choice to start practicing German before coming to Germany. Being surrounded by such an international community, you can probably get by without learning much of the language. However, I think it is nice to try and put the effort into learning more about the culture and language of the country you are living in.
Tell us about your travels and cultural experiences in Germany and the rest of the Europe
Before coming to Germany, travelling was not a priority for me. Mostly because I have never left home before so I was afraid of jumping into travelling.
Immediately after meeting my fellow UBC students who came to Stuttgart with me, we began planning trips and nearly every weekend I have travelled to some place. Between the beginning of May and end of June, I have already travelled to 7 different countries, including Germany.
It was all an extremely enriching experience for me. I have never dared to expose myself to new things so much, at such a fast rate, but it was very refreshing. The most memorable parts of travelling so far is when I really experience how the locals live. I personally favour airbnb over hostels, because airbnb gives me more of an idea of what it would be like to live there. I also love trying local food everywhere I visit.
I am excited for future trips in my remaining time here.
