Condensed Matter Physics
at Tbilisi State University:
Achievements and Perspectives
Alexander Shengelaya
Tbilisi State University, Georgia
Georgian-German Science Bridge
Tbilisi, 7 July 2014
What is Condensed Matter Physics ?
Condensed matter physics is a branch of physics that deals with the
physical properties of condensed phases of matter. The most familiar
condensed phases are solids and liquids, while more exotic condensed
phases include the superconducting phase, the ferromagnetic and
antiferromagnetic phases.
The diversity of systems and phenomena available for study makes
condensed matter physics a very active field of contemporary physics.
It is also one of the largest part of physics.
The field overlaps with chemistry, materials science, and
nanotechnology, and relates closely to atomic physics and biophysics.
Theoretical condensed matter physics shares important concepts and
techniques with theoretical particle and nuclear physics.
Why it is important ?
• Understanding the electrical and magnetic properties of
solids and liquids is right at the heart of modern society
and technology.
• For example: The entire computer and electronics
industry relies on tuning of a special class of material, the
semiconductor.
• New technology for the future will inevitably involve
developing and understanding new classes of materials.
250 MB hard disk drive from 1979
The first hard drive 2.52 GB.
IBM 3380 in 1980
250 kg, price ~ $100,000.
Superparamagnetic limit
GMR head
MR head
Prof. Elevter Andronikashvili
Elevter Andronikashvili started the experimental condensed matter
physics research at Tbilisi State University in 1948.
In 1950 he founded Institute of Physics of Georgian Academy of
Science. In 2011 AIP merged Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
E. Andronikashvili is internationally recognized by the physics
community after his outstanding experimental investigations of the
superfluidity of liquid helium.
Prof. Tengiz Sanadze
Pioneering experiments in
magnetic resonance by Prof.
T. Sanadze in 1960.
Building of the first pulsed
Electron Paramagnetic
Resonanse (EPR)
spectrometer.
Discovery of the new
phenomena of discrete
saturation
This technique is now used in commercial EPR
spectrometers produced by German company
BRUKER.
Prof. Givi Khutsishvili
Pioneering work on theory of diffusion and relaxation
of nuclear spins in crystals.
He introduced a new phenomenon called “spin
diffusion” in 1954, which is widely used now in
magnetic resonance.
This work is still significant and is quoted in
monographs on the theory of magnetic resonance in its
original form.
Prof. Khutsishvili made an invaluable
contribution to the education of scientists
in Georgia. Several generations of
Georgian physicists have attended his
lectures and seminars at which they
learned the theoretical foundations of
modern physics.
Niels Bohr with wife and son visiting TSU In 1961.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) System
for medical applications.
Superconductivity discovered by H. Kammerling-Onnes in 1911:
a wide range of applications from the energy to the electronics sector.
MRI includes: Superconductivity, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Low temperature
Physics, Mathematics...
EPR spectrometer donated by Prof. K. A. Müller
(IBM and University of Zürich)
was installed at TSU in 2006
Prof. Alex Müller visiting our lab in November 2011
Start of the New Project !
Cryogenic Center was created at TSU in 2010
Supported by Georgian National Science Foundation
Liquid Nitrogen Plant
Cryogen Free / Liquid Helium
Measurement System
was installed in our laboratory October 2009
Temperature range 1.6 – 300 K
Superconducting magnet up to 5 Tesla
Funded by Ministry of Education and Science and
Tbilisi State University
Experiments at Large Scale Facilities
Mainly at Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) Switzerland:
Muon-spin rotation (µSR)
Nautron Scattering (SINQ)
Sinchrotron at Swiss Light Source (SLS)
Institute of Applied Semiconductor Technologies at TSU
Director: Dr. Zaur Chakhnakia
Prof. A. Bibilashvili
Dr. N. Khuchua
Dr. Z. Jibuti
Dr. N. Dolidze
Main Research directions:
1. New type of concentrators for solar cells.
2. GaAs epitaxial thin film structures for THz radiation sources.
3. Development and production of microelectromechanical (MEMS) systems.
4. Study of photostimulated diffusion processes in semiconductors.
Institute of Applied Semiconductor Technologies at TSU
CAD-RoomCAD-Room
with local
(supported
NATO
SfP Project)
withnetwork
local network
(supported by by
NATO
SfP Project)
Contact
litography
Contact litography
Metal evaporation
Metal evaporation
Control
of technological
parameters
Control
of technological parameters
Dry etching
Dry etching
Wage bonding
Microwave characterization lab
Andronikashvili Institute of Physics
Condensed Matter Theory Group
Head Professor G. Kharadze
Traditional fields of reserch interest:
1. Superconductivity, Superfluidity of He-3,
2. Physics of Low-Dimensional Correlated Electron Systems
3. Low-Dimensional Magnetism
Group members:
Prof. Dr. George Baramidze
Prof. Dr. Alex Gongadze
Prof. Dr. George Japaridze (also Professor of the Ilia State University)
Prof. Dr. Alexander Nersesyan
Dr. George Jackeli (also at MPI SSR Stuttgart, Germany) (LDM)
Dr. Nugzar Suramlishvili (also at the University of Birmingham)
Ina Grusha
(PhD student of the Ilia State University) (SCE)
Niko Avalishvili (PhD student of the Ilia State University) (LDM)
Condensed Matter Theory group of the
Andronikashvili Institute of Physics
Students of Prof. G. Japaridze
Associate members of the condensed matter theory group:
Main field if research activity of this group:
1 Physics of Strongly Correlated Electron systems
2. Low-Dimensional Magnetism
(SCE)
(LDM)
3. Ultracold atoms in Oprical lattices
4. Spintronics
(UCA)
(STR)
Dt. George Jackeli
Researcher MPI SSR and Uni Stutgart
(LDM)
Dr. Teimuraz Vekua
Dr. Paata Kakashvili
Dr. Micheil Sekania
Dr. Irakli Titvinidze
Dt. Andro Sabashvili
Dr. David Nozadze
Junior Professor, University of Hannover,
(UCA, LDM)
Post. Doc. Researcher Rice University,
(UCA, STR)
Post. Doc. Researcher University of Wuerzburg, (SCE, STR)
Post. Doc. Researcher, University of Hamburg, (SCE, UCA)
Post. Doc. Researcher. Technolog.University of Singapoure. (SCE)
Post Doc Researcher. Ohio State University
(STR)
Condensed Matter Theory at AIP
Active Network of current scientific collaborations of this group:
MPI for Solid State Physics and University of Stuttgart Germany.
University of Fribourg, Switzerland.
University of Gothenberg, Sweden.
University of Wurzburg, Germany.
University of Hannover. Germany.
University of Hamburg, Germany.
University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
CEA, Grenoble, France.
NORDITA, Stockholm, Sweden
University of Lancaster, UK.
University of Basel, Switzerland
International Institute of Physics, Natal, Brazil.
University of Brasilia, Brazil
Institute of Condensed Matter Physics and
Advanced Materials
Director of Institute: Prof. A. Shengelaya
Was created at TSU in 2009 to consolidate research and teaching
activities in this field. Includes condensed matter scientists working in
Georgia as well as abroad.
Main topics of research:
• Macroscopic and microscopic properties of novel superconducting
and magnetic materials.
• Magnetic nanoparticles and their applications.
• New methods of synthesis of advanced materials.
Broad international collaborations:
University of Zürich, Switzerland
ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland
University of Versailles, France
Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart, Germany
Jülich Research Center, Germany
What has been achieved ?
New Bachelor and Masters programs
Selective module in Physics Bachelor program “Applied Physics”, which
includes: Materials science, Physics on nanoscale, Micro- and nanoelectronics.
Masters program in “Applied Physics”, which includes selective module in
Materials science, Micro- and nanoelectronics.
Masters program in “Fundamental physics”, which includes selective module in
Condensed Matter Physics.
Graduate Students:
Alexander Maisuradze (PostDoc at the University of Zürich/PSI)
Zurab Guguchia (PostDoc at PSI)
Zurab Shermadini (PhD at PSI)
Giorgi Gambashidze (PhD at MPI Stuttgart)
Jarji Khmaladze (PhD at the University of Fribourg)
Giorgi Khazaradze (PhD in collaboration with Jülich Research Center)
Research Highlights
(selected to be an Editor’s suggestion)
Research Highlights
(selected to be an Editor’s suggestion)
Research Highlights
accepted in PRL 2014
Solid State Reaction
Oxide materials are usually produced by solid state reaction
(SSR). Oldest, simplest and most widely used method: mixing
together powdered reactants, pressing pellets and heating for
prolonged periods of time (from several hours to days) and at
high temperatures (700 - 1600°C).
Highly time- and energy-consuming process.
There is a significant worldwide effort to develop technologies to
considerably reduce the temperature and time needed for the
synthesis of complex oxides.
The limiting factor in SSR is usually diffusion.
How to enhance diffusion without increasing temperature ?
7
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5
2
6
3
4
UV+Halogen lamps setup
Collinearly arranged 3 halogen lamps with 1kW power each (1).
Color temperature of halogen lamps 3200K.
Wildfire IronArc® metal halide 400 W UV lamp LMP-400D (2).
UV lamp provides light mostly in 250-400 nm range.
La1.84Sr0.16CuO4 synthesis
La2O3 + SrCO3 + CuO mixed, pressed in pellet
with diameter 12 mm and thickness 0.4 mm
Vsc≈ 50 % !
Superconducting La1.84Sr0.16CuO4 is obtained in 20 sec !
Superconducting phase vs synthesis temperature
Comparison of light irradiation and normal furnace synthesis
Photostimulated Solid State Reaction (PSSR)
D. Daraselia et. al., J Supercond. Nov. Magn. 26, 2987 (2013)
Prof. K. A. Müller
Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting 2013, Lindau, Germany
Summary
Condensed Matter Physics at TSU has strong traditions and is an
active field of education and research in TSU at present.
Some new achievements and research highlights were shown.
Future perspectives
• Further development of international collaborations.
• Association agreement signed with EU should allow better
integration of Georgian scientists in european programs.
• Key role should be played by Georgian Ministry of Education
and Science (setting up priorities, more support for education
and science at state universities).