Our Approach

The research that we conduct can typically be separated into three distinct stages:

• Design and synthesis of high-quality novel materials, preferably in single-crystal form.
• Investigation of the material's properties. This includes physical properties measurements followed by data modelling and calculations in an effort to explain the complex interactions and correlations that govern these properties.
• A search for novel ground states and applied properties by tuning various control parameters (composition, pressure, etc).

The stages described above can involve many different experimental procedures and theoretical techniques which are selected based on the composition, properties, and traits of the compound we are working on. Despite this elastic approach, a few core features tend to remain constant regardless of the material being explored and thus our approach can be summarized roughly as follows:

• We begin by identifying a crystal structure that carries ingredients for exotic ground states and interesting properties. Once a structure has been identified, we attempt to identify novel compounds that might crystalize in the desired structure.
• Once a proposed novel compound has been chosen, we then attempt single-crystal synthesis. The synthesis technique is then progressively tweaked and tailored based on our results until we achieve a reliable method of synthesizing crystals of an appropriate size.
• Confirmation of the crystal's structure and composition is then achieved through the use of x-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques. Furthermore, physical properties such as electrical resistivity, magnetic suscpetibility, thermal conductivity, and heat capacity are investigated and modeled.
• Finally, we can search for exotic ground states and applied properties by tuning various control parameters like composition and pressure.

The above procedure is typically conducted collaboratively, with a strong emphasis on team work. This is because we believe that when different skill sets and specialties combine, the collective result can be greater than the sum of its parts.