English language proficiency: Fluent in topics related to magnetic structure and magnetic phase transitions research

Supervisor’s research interests:

Magnetic structures and magnetic phase transitions in rare earth magnets and 3d-transition metal compounds.

Given research is focused on determining magnetic structures and studying magnetic phase transitions using the method of elastic coherent neutron scattering (the magnetic neutron diffraction). The main objects of research are rare earth intermetallic compounds and oxides of 3d - transition metals: TbNi5, Tb (Ni, Mn)2Si2, LiMPO4, where M = Ni, Co, Mn. These objects can be considered as natural model objects. For example, the TbMn2Si2 compound is natural multilayer structure. Determination of the magnetic structure means finding of mutual ordering, values and orientation of the magnetic moments relative to the crystallographic axes. The magnetic structure can be considered as a function of the axial vector (spin) S (r), defined on a discrete system of points (atoms). Any magnetic structure is formed due to two main interactions: the exchange couple and magneto crystalline anisotropy. So, studying the magnetic structure allows getting information about these main interactions.

The widespread development of experimental approaches to the study of magnetism is primarily due to the emergence of new functional materials with unusual properties. Nevertheless, magnetic neutron diffraction is, in fact, a unique method that allows direct determination of magnetic structures, i.e. values and mutual orientations of magnetic moments and their orientation relative to crystallographic axes. Neutron diffraction has successfully proven itself for studying both simple commensurate magnetic structures in bulk samples and more complex noncollinear spiral magnets. Currently, magnetic neutron diffraction is widely used to study magnetic structures in nanoscale multilayer film materials. However, for the physics of low-dimensional magnetism, bulk samples with a layered crystal structure are of greater interest, which, due to the smallness of interlayer interactions, can be considered as natural quasi-two-dimensional objects.

Supervisor’s specific requirements to prospective PhD students:

The student must have an understanding of the crystalline and magnetic structures of solids. The student must be able to operate with elements of symmetry in matrix and alpha forms.