PhD project: Characterization of magnetic materials

Introduction

Division of Synchrotron Radiation Research is a part of Physics and has more than 40 employees. The main focus of the research is experimental studies of electronic, structural and chemical properties of materials. At the division we use and develop a wide range of synchrotron and lab based techniques, such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy/imaging and X-ray diffraction/imaging. We also host one of Sweden's largest facilities for scanning probe microscopy.

Division of Synchrotron Radiation Research website

Project specification

Work duties

The goal of the project is to produce and characterize nanostructured magnetic materials with potential applications such as energy storage, magnetic cooling, and high-performing permanent magnets. The project will use a novel technique where magnetic nanoparticles generated using an aerosol technique based on spark ablation are self-assembled to form macroscopic systems with tailored nanoscale composition and morphology. The focus will be on generating materials of different nanoscale composition and structure by controlling the self-assembly through external magnetic fields or magnetic templates created using processing techniques. The characterization will be performed using electron microscopy, a magnetometer equipped with a superconducting quantum interference device, and synchrotron-based spectroscopy, microscopy, and imaging techniques at the MaxIV laboratory and other large-scale facilities around the world. Hence, the doctoral student will gain comprehensive experience in several important key production and characterization tools for nanomaterials. The project is primarily experimental and will require extensive work in different laboratories, but will also involve theoretical work such as setting up models for interpreting the data. The doctoral student is expected to work independently, as well as in close collaboration with researchers carrying out other tasks within the project.

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

The doctoral student is expected to work independently, as well as in close collaboration with researchers carrying out other tasks within the project.

Desirable skills

• Experience with magnetic materials and related experimental methods are of special value.
• Valuable, but not necessary, is experience with synchrotron radiation based techniques

Enrolment: Physics, Science Faculty

Subject curriculum (general syllabus) for physics at the Science faculty, MNFYSI01 (pdf, 357 kB, new window)

Supervisor

Rasmus Westerström, Associate senior lecturer at Synchrotron Radiation Research

Contact: rasmus [dot] westerstrom [at] sljus [dot] lu [dot] se

Division of Synchrotron Radiation Research webpage