Welcoming Patrick O'Callaghan to the Macroscopic Quantum Matter Group

19 Sep 2024

"While I'm only at the beginning of my PhD, I've found the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research very exciting and rewarding, and I can't wait to learn more."

Patricks project involves the development of a Scanning Spin Noise Microscope for the measurement of a variety of frustrated magnetic materials. This microscope would measure the magnetic properties of materials using a technique called 'spin noise spectroscopy', and these measurements could be performed with atomic resolution. This would allow for an unprecedented insight to the properties of a host of quantum materials. 

Upon the development of this new experimental technique, the goal of my PhD is to measure a host of magnetic materials, specifically the spin ice compounds Dysprosium Titanate and Holmium Titanate, and the quantum spin liquid candidates ZnCu₃(OH)₆Cl₂ (ZCC) and Ca10Cr7O28 (CCO). Spin ice materials are host to quasiparticle excitations known as emergent magnetic monopoles, which are the only known magnetic monopoles in nature, and they are an exciting frontier in modern condensed matter physics. Quantum spin liquids are a class of material where the properties of the material are determined by a highly entangled quantum ground state of spins, and the study of these materials with a Scanning Spin Noise Microscope would allow for the confirmation of the quantum spin liquid state.

Wishing Patrick all the best!