Condensed Matter Group

Departament d'Estructura i Constituents de la Matèria Av. Diagonal, 647 E-08028 Barcelona Catalonia Spain

Affiliation: Facultat de Física, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain)

Team leader: Antoni Planes

tel:  34-93-402-11-81
fax: 34-93-402-11-74

Team members involved:

Lluis Manosa, Teresa Castan, Eduard Vives

Description general research area:

the Condensed Matter Group focuses on the study of Phase Transitions in Materials from both theoretical and experimental points of view. The topics under investigation include the characterization of vibrational properties of metallic alloys undergoing structural transitions by means of ultrasonic and neutron measurements; characterization of thermal properties, including heat capacity and entropy changes at first order structural transitions in connection with the study of phase stability; understanding the origin of history dependence and memory in systems undergoing magnetic and structural transitions; characterization of time and duration of avalanches occurring in martensitic transitions from acoustic emission measurements in the range from kHz to MHz, and its relation with hysteresis properties; magnetocaloric effect in magnetostructural transitions; and study of pretransitional effects in phase transitions. The available experimental equipment includes: AC susceptometry, resistitvity, magnetometry (up to 9 T), various types of calorimetric techniques (DSC, DSC under applied magnetic field, modulated DSC), ultrasonic techniques, mechanical tests, acoustic emission, and standard characterization and analysis techniques.

Description particular research topics for MULTIMAT:

in the framework of the RTN the focus will be on vibrational characterization of new magnetic shape-memory materials and the study of the kinetic features of the martensitic transition occurring in these materials.

Available positions:

Early Stage Researchers

Preference is for a Master in Physics or Materials Science with a good knowledge of solid state and statistical physics. The particular research lies in the area of structural and magnetic phase transitions in systems showing athermal dynamics

The preferred starting time is October 1, 2004 with an envisaged stay of 3 years during which a Ph.D. work could be completed. Alternative (later) starting dates are also possible.

Experienced Researchers

Preference is for post-doc researchers with a good knowledge in Condensed Matter Physics. The post-doc researcher will work on theoretical and/or experimental non-equilibrium features of structural and/or magnetic phase transitions.

The preferred starting time is October 1, 2005 with an envisaged stay of 1+1 years.

For detailed information on all presently available MULTIMAT job opportunities, please visit Cordis