General Scope
Global inversion symmetry or time reversal symmetry have been long regarded as fundamental ingredients to form a superconducting state. However nowadays, several systems have been found which are superconducting even though they break locally inversion symmetry, sometimes together with broken time reversal symmetry. Prominent examples are the uranium based ferromagnetic superconductors URhGe and UCoGe (breaking both symmetries), or the new systems UTe
2, and CeRh
2As
2, breaking local inversion symmetry. All these systems remain superconducting in very high magnetic fields, often showing even a reinforcement of superconductivity under field. Transitions between spin-triplet and spin-singlet superconducting are suspected in UTe
2 and CeRh
2As
2, which are up to now unique in nature.
Subject
In this master project, we want to develop a
new high precession ac susceptometer, working at low
temperatures in a dilution refrigerator, in order to
explore the magnetic properties of superconducting
phases of these superconductors. In addition, with the
same set-up it will be possible to determine properties
of the Fermi surface by the measurements of quantum
oscillations of the magnetization. First focus will be on
UTe2, which has a complex superconducting phase
diagram as a function magnetic field and pressure, as
shown in the figure. Remarkably, multiple
superconducting phases occur in UTe2 and
superconductivity survives under magnetic fields up to
35 T for some specific directions. In a following PhD, it will be possible to extend the technique to measurements under high pressure and to look for superconductivity in systems with the same crystal structure as CeRh2As2.
Environment and collaborations
The candidate will work in a team largely recognized for its contributions to the research on spin triplet superconductors. He will also benefit from strong theoretical support from the theory group of Pheliqs, and have the possibility to interact with groups in Japan where tight collaborations are well established.
Required skills
The candidate should have sound knowledge in solid state physics, good practical skills and interest in the development of instrumentation.