Group for Research of Complex and Strongly Correlated Functional Materials (CorrMat) conducts experimental research on crystal, magnetic, and electronic structures and their influence on various physical properties. The studied crystals are synthesized through close collaborations, using rigorous characterization techniques to ensure the highest crystal quality. This enables the investigation of intrinsic system properties as well as the determination of disorder effects. In addition to experimental studies, the group works closely with theoretical researchers on system modeling.
Research Areas
The research focuses on several classes of complex materials, including:
- Strongly correlated electron systems such as heavy fermions, unconventional superconductors, and intercalated transition-metal dichalcogenides
- Superionic conductors
- Complex metallic alloys
- Thermoelectric materials
Research Techniques and Expertise
The group employs a variety of experimental methods to characterize material properties:
- Electrical magneto-transport: Measurements of electrical resistivity and the Hall coefficient allow for rapid characterization of sample quality and analysis of the ground state and the interactions that stabilize it.
- Thermoelectric properties: By measuring electrical conductivity, the Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity, it is possible to evaluate the thermoelectric figure of merit, determine the position of the Fermi level, and study electron–phonon interactions and phonon scattering mechanisms.
- Heat capacity: Provides insight into the distribution of excitation energies among electronic, lattice, and magnetic subsystems, as well as the nature of phase transitions between different ground states.
- High pressure: Hydrostatic and uniaxial pressure are used to investigate material phase diagrams by adding an additional degree of freedom.
- Spectroscopic techniques: Experimental studies of electronic structure include:
- Photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) in the energy range from UV to hard X-rays
- Angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES)
- Inverse photoelectron spectroscopy
- X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopies
Group members
dr. sc. Petar Popčević, group leader, senior research associate
dr. sc. Yuki Utsumi Boucher, senior research associate
dr. sc. Damir Starešinić, senior research associate
Seyed Ashkan Moghadam Ziabari, PhD student
Gaurav Pransu, PhD student