Experimental studies of magnetic, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of strongly correlated electron systems
Prof AM Strydom and Prof P de V du Plessis are involved in this particular research area.
Heavy-fermion (HF) systems are alloys and compounds based upon the 4f-electron rare-earth element cerium and the 5f-electron actinide element uranium. Our research on HF systems is driven by the curiosity to explore new properties of metals and semi-metals, and the need to increase our knowledge of the interactions between atomic particles and excitations. HF systems, forming part of the broader class of strongly correlated electron systems, have been challenging our understanding of metallic behaviour by having revealed a variety of new ground states.
We find the really exciting reasons for studying HF systems mainly at low temperatures: near room temperature they behave like ordinary metals when we measure the magnetic susceptibility, for instance. But, when a HF metal is cooled down to near the boiling point of liquid helium, physical properties start to take many unexpected turns: the specific heat behaves in a manner that leads us to think in terms of the electrons having become extremely massive indeed (hence "heavy fermions").
A number of HF systems are found to be magnetically ordered at low temperature, some become superconducting, and in a select few alloys superconductivity even coexists with magnetic ordering. Electrical resistivity and other electronic and thermal transport phenomena are powerful methods to investigate physical properties of HF systems. HF semiconductors are a small group of strongly correlated systems for which the electronic transport is particularly strongly temperature-dependent near and below room temperature. These materials are of special interest due to the strong electronic correlations found in the presence of very low carrier densities.
Studentships for MSc and PhD Degrees
Bursaries and studentships are available for students, South African or International, wanting to enroll for an experimental research degree in the Physics of Strongly Correlated Electron Systems (SCES) under supervision of Prof AM Strydom. The envisaged research would include electronic, magnetic, and thermodynamic properties of SCES, with furthermore the possibility of special emphasis on thermoelectric properties of SCES or related materials. Please direct enquiries directly to Prof AM Strydom at:
amstrydom@uj.ac.za
Tel: +27 (0)11 559 2320
Fax: +27 (0)11 559 2339
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Current postgraduate students in Prof Strydom's lab: (from left to right) Douglas, Sarit, Jasper and Buyi. |
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Post-Doctoral Fellowships
Generous post-doctoral fellowships are available to qualified South African and International students who are interested in pursuing experimental Physics research on the topic of thermal properties of Strongly Correlated Electron (SCES) systems. Thermoelectric properties of SCES and related materials are offered as a research topic of special interest. The research would entail all aspects of sample synthesis and characterisation, measurement and interpretation of physical properties, and participation in writing research publications. Grants for attending local and international conferences are available as part of the fellowships. A wide variety of synthesis, characterization and measurement facilities are available locally. Interested researchers are invited to discuss possible topics and to direct enquiries to Prof AM Strydom at:
amstrydom@uj.ac.za
Tel: +27 (0)11 559 2320
Fax: +27 (0)11 559 2339
Research Highlights