PG research in Condensed Matter Physics
Contact
Applications for Ph.D. or MSc degrees in the area of 'Condensed Matter Physics' or 'Materials Physics' are made through staff in the Centre for Materials Physics. Many of the staff in the Centre are members of other Centres and Institutes throughout the University and so can also offer interdisciplinary Ph.D. projects. If you are interested in studying for a Ph.D. in Physics where the core material is Materials Physics or Condensed Matter Physics, this is the booklet that you should read: CMP Postgraduate Booklet
Materials physics encompasses the study of all aspects of the states of matter. It therefore underpins a huge range of science from technological advances such as the silicon chip and liquid crystal displays to fundamental understanding of phenomena such as superconductivity, advanced many-body quantum-mechanics and elementary spin-charge interactions. Durham University has world-class researchers working across materials physics collaborating with the best groups around the world.
We employ a wide variety of different experimental methods including optical, magnetic, electrical, microscopy, magnetic resonance, X-ray scattering measurements. Theoretical work, often in close collaboration with experiment, is a vital aspect of condensed matter physics and in Durham, studies include computational modelling at the level of the electrons and the theory of photonic microstructures. Experiments and computational simulations are supported by state of the art equipment based in the Department, including femtosecond lasers, scanning probe microscopes, electron microscopes, SQUID (Superconducting QUantum Interference Device) magnetometers, a range of cryostats (300 mK to 1000 K), horizontal and vertical magnets (up to 17 T) and a supercomputer cluster. Extensive use is made of international facilities including synchrotron and neutron radiation sources, muon spectroscopy, high magnetic field facilities and supercomputers.
