RUI: Magnetic and Superconducting Properties of Nickel Borocarbides

Occidental College, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Abstract

This is a renewal proposal from a PI at an undergraduate institution for research exploring the relationship between superconductivity and magnetism in the nickel borocarbide family of materials. The overall goal is to identify and characterize the ground states of these materials. Specifically, a dilatometer will be used to measure the thermal expansion and magnetostriction of the magnetic material YbNi2B2C and the magnetic superconductor TmNi2B2C. In addition magnetization and critical field measurements of the Tm compound will be carried out. The intent is to characterize the heavy fermion state in the former material and the magnetic states in the latter. Furthermore, undergraduate students will participate in this research. Most of the work will be done on the campus of Occidental College, with the remainder at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. The undergraduate students will fully engage in this project and gain first hand experience to do research and interact with scientists in a major research environment. %%% This research project will be conducted with undergraduate students at Occidental College and at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. The research focuses on the experimental determination of certain magnetic and superconducting properties of two members of a family of nickel-boron-carbon compounds. The results will contribute to the understanding of superconductivity. Moreover, this project has a very strong educational component. The undergraduate participants will gain experience in one of the current forefront areas of condensed matter physics. In addition to their work done at Occidental College their presence at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory will give them experience in research conducted in a major research environment, where they will interact with experienced scientists as research colleagues. ***