Internal Summer Placement Projects 2013
All internal summer placement projects available for 2013 are listed below:
Title: Defects in Spin Ice
Supervisor: Professor Jon Goff
Duration: 8 weeks
The proposal for the observation of magnetic monopoles in spin ice [1] has enjoyed much success in the intermediate temperature regime [2,3]. However, low-temperature measurements now point to the importance of defects in monopole dynamics, in providing extrinsic resistance for monopole currents [4]. This project is to study the defect structures of spin ice materials using x-ray diffraction. The work will include the measurements of single crystals using the x-ray equipment at Royal Holloway, structural refinement of the Bragg reflections, and computer simulations of the diffuse scattering.
[1] C. Castelnovo et al., Nature 451, 42 (2008)
[2] D.J.P. Morris et al., Science 326, 411 (2009)
[3] T. Fennel et al., Science 326, 415 (2009)
[4] H.M. Revell et al., Nature Physics 9, 34 (2013
Title: Development of new undergraduate teaching experiments
Supervisor: Professor Brian Cowan
Duration: Up to 8 weeks
Title: Terahertz
Fourier Transform Spectroscopy
Supervisor: Dr Vladimir Antonov
Duration: 4 weeks
The project concerns a study of the operation of and
experiments with the Terahertz Fourier Transform Spectroscopy system (TFTS). This system is intended for the spectral assessment of different sources and detectors
of terahertz radiation. The student will assemble the TFTS, ensure that it works, write a computer program for remote operation and study spectral characteristics of
terahertz sources: Gunn diode, resonance tunnelling diodes, terahertz laser. A few
days will be allocated for writing a detailed report on the TFTS technology,
instructions for the operation of the TFTS, and an assessment of terahertz sources and
detectors.
Title: Semiconductor quantum devices
Supervisor: Dr James Nicholls
Duration: 8 weeks
As
part of a collaboration (samples and theory from Cambridge & UCL) we wish
to cool the electrons in semiconductor devices down to less than 1 mK. This has
never been achieved before and in low-dimensional systems such as 1D wires and
0D quantum dots it is predicted that electrons will order into new quantum
states. In this project there will be a variety of activities that will
contribute to the setting up of preliminary measurements on new equipment:
testing semiconductor devices at 4.2 K, making and testing filters for low
noise measurements, writing software to control equipment or analyse data,
modelling, etc. There will be opportunities to develop new skills and to work
in a team of researchers (post docs, academics, technicians).
Title: Searches for new physics using the ATLAS detector
Supervisor: Dr Tracey Berry
Duration: 4-8 weeks
A computer based project to search for new physics resulting in a final state of 2 electrons in the ATLAS detector in order to search for evidence of gravitons and investigate if quarks are fundamental & leptons particles.
Title: 1. Developing Cryogenic Environments for ultralow temperature experiments or
2. Development of Low field SQUID NMR system for room temperature samples.
Supervisor: Dr Andrew Casey
Duration: 4-8 weeks
1. Working with a cryogen free dilution refrigerator to extend its cooling capabilities to below the 10 mK that can be achieved commercially.
2. Development of a system for performing NMR experiments on room temperature samples using low Tc SQUIDs called to 4.2K in a custom built low noise helium dewar.
Title: Quantum Devices Group
Supervisor: Dr Phil Meeson
Duration: 4-8 weeks
Project title to be determined
Title: Dark Matter Group
Supervisor: Dr James Nikkel
Duration: 4-8 weeks
Project title to be determined.
Title: Applications of Quantum Field Theory in
Theoretical Particle Physics
Supervisor: Dr Nikolas Kauer
Duration: 4-8 weeks
The project introduces the student to advanced concepts
and methods in quantum mechanics and
lets the student get experience with applications in theoretical particle
physics. The student will work on one of
the final projects in the standard introductory textbook of theoretical particle
physics [1]. Available topics are: Radiation of gluon jets, The Coleman-Weinberg
potential, and Decays of the Higgs boson.
Other topics are possible and can be agreed with the supervisor.
[1] Michael E Peskin and Daniel V Schroeder: An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory, Westview Press,
1995. (Library: 530.143 PES)