Quantum & Soft Matter
Our aim is to find and understand new phenomena of quantum and classical matter. We study soft materials like liquid crystals and colloids, as well as solid matter ranging from superconductors to insulators. We are particularly interested in systems that show a large response to small perturbations. These are often found close to phase transitions and out of equilibrium.
![Two diagrams depicting electron momentum density. The diagram on the left depicts radial anisotropy. The y axis is labelled py[a.u.] and the x axis is labelled px[a.u.]. Both axis go from values -5 to 5. The diagram on the left depicts occupancy. The y axis is labelled ky and the x axis labelled kx. The top axis of both are labelled with](/media-library/sites/physics/images/building/qsm/Banner 1.png)
Our research contributes insight to many emergent phenomena like superconductivity at the boarder of quantum magnetism and glass formation in colloids. We specialise in the following eight research areas:
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Superconductivity
We're studying the mechanism of unconventional superconductivity in cuprate superconductors and exploring novel high-pressure superconductors using diamond anvil cells.
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Colloidal Matter
We use real space tracking to measure particle positions in colloids and to compare with model calculations. Thus, we can understand equilibrium and out-of-equilibrium physics relevant for the whole of condensed matter.
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Quantum Magnetism
We're studying how large magnetic fields can induce a form of antiferromagnetism known as a spin density wave and how this can be used to control the resistance of a metal in a high magnetic field.
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Novel Glasses
We're working on understanding the glass transition and producing new glasses, such as pure aluminate, titanate and gallate, with high refractive indices and the ability to contain significant quantities of rare-earth ions.
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Quantum Criticality
We're studying quantum critical points, which arise when phase transitions close to zero temperature are dominated by quantum fluctuations, and the emergence of superconductivity at these points.
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Low Dimensional Materials & Devices
We're using dimensionality as a tuning parameter, making heterostructures of different materials and creating device structures such as transistors to explore fundamental physics.
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Solid-Liquid Interfaces
We're working on electrodeposition and molecular electronics and on understanding and controlling ice nucleation using model heterogeneous nucleating agents.
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Electronic Structure
We use experiments and computational simulations to study the distribution of electron states in a variety of materials ranging from superconductors to low-dimensional devices.
Theme Lead
World class research
The theme is world-renowned for its research on high-temperature superconductivity, electrodeposition and glasses and its researchers have won many awards, including the Mott Prize which was won by Professor Stephen Hayden.
Postgraduate opportunities
We have a range of MSc and PhD research projects from high-temperature superconductivity via low-temperature magnetism to complex glasses. To see a list of our projects and for information about funding and how to apply, click here.
Conferences
For over ten years the theme has organised and hosted the Frontiers in Condensed Matter Physics Conference, which brings together 150 researchers from across the UK.
Teaching
Members of the theme contribute to teaching within the School at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, for instance the third year Solid State Physics unit and the fourth year Magnetism and Superconductivity unit, as well as advanced courses on the Centre for Doctoral Training in Condensed Matter Physics.