Alexander ShengelayaAlexander Shengelaya

Tbilisi State University, Georgia

Condensed Matter Physics at Tbilisi State University:

Achievements and Perspectives

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

MR head

GMR head

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. Elevter Andronikashvili

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 KhutsishviliPioneering 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.

Niels Bohr with wife and son visiting TSU In 1961.

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.

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...

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Systemfor medical applications.

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 2011Start of the New Project !

Cryogenic Center was created at TSU in 2010Supported 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 KSuperconducting 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 ChakhnakiaProf. A. BibilashviliDr. N. KhuchuaDr. Z. JibutiDr. 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-Room with local network (supported by NATO SfP Project)

Contact litography Control of technological parameters

Metal evaporation Dry etching

CAD-Room with local network (supported by NATO SfP Project)

Contact litography Control of technological parameters

Metal evaporation Dry etching

Wage bonding

Microwave characterization lab

Andronikashvili Institute of PhysicsCondensed Matter Theory Group

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 BaramidzeProf. Dr. Alex GongadzeProf. Dr. George Japaridze (also Professor of the Ilia State University)Prof. Dr. Alexander NersesyanDr. 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)

Head Professor G. Kharadze

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 (SCE)2. Low-Dimensional Magnetism (LDM)3. Ultracold atoms in Oprical lattices (UCA)4. Spintronics (STR) Dt. George Jackeli Researcher MPI SSR and Uni Stutgart (LDM)Dr. Teimuraz Vekua Junior Professor, University of Hannover, (UCA, LDM)Dr. Paata Kakashvili Post. Doc. Researcher Rice University, (UCA, STR)Dr. Micheil Sekania Post. Doc. Researcher University of Wuerzburg, (SCE, STR)Dr. Irakli Titvinidze Post. Doc. Researcher, University of Hamburg, (SCE, UCA)Dt. Andro Sabashvili Post. Doc. Researcher. Technolog.University of Singapoure. (SCE) Dr. David Nozadze 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 NetherlandsCEA, Grenoble, France. NORDITA, Stockholm, SwedenUniversity of Lancaster, UK.University of Basel, SwitzerlandInternational 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, SwitzerlandETH Zürich, SwitzerlandPaul Scherrer Institute, SwitzerlandUniversity of Versailles, FranceMax Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart, GermanyJülich 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 inMaterials science, Micro- and nanoelectronics.

Masters program in “Fundamental physics”, which includes selective module inCondensed 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.

How to enhance diffusion without increasing temperature ?

The limiting factor in SSR is usually diffusion.

There is a significant worldwide effort to develop technologies to considerably reduce the temperature and time needed for the synthesis of complex oxides.

7 1 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

Superconducting La1.84Sr0.16CuO4 is obtained in 20 sec !

Vsc≈ 50 % !

La2O3 + SrCO3 + CuO mixed, pressed in pelletwith diameter 12 mm and thickness 0.4 mm

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. MüllerLindau 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).