Unveiling the Properties of Condensed Matter with Neutrons

Qiang Zhang

Louisiana Consortium for Neutron Scattering (LaCNS);  Department of Physics and Astronomy of LSU

Oct. 12, 2017 at 3:30 PM in Rm. 109 Nicholson Hall.  Host by Rongying Jin

In the atoms family, neutrons are boring individuals neither positive (protons) nor negative (electrons). However, when a neutron beam interacts with matter, important information at the atomic scale can be obtained, including atomic and magnetic arrangement and their dynamic behavior. Such information is essential for understanding materials physics and chemistry. In this talk, I will present two examples by employing different neutron techniques. One is the determination of magnetic structure in the novel topological semimetal Sr1−yMn1−zSb2, providing direct evidence for time-reversal symmetry breaking. The other is to unveil the magnetic correlation, lattice and spin dynamics in Sr3Ru2O7 upon the partial replacement of Ru by Mn, elucidating the complex coupling between spin, charge and lattice.