PhD Student from Gdańsk University of Technology to Investigate Quantum Magnetism at the American Ames Lab | Gdańsk University of Technology

The research project titled "Search for Quantum Critical Points in Systems on the Boundary of Magnetic Order" (Fragile Magnets: A Way to Explore Quantum Criticality) at Ames International Laboratory will be undertaken by the PhD student from the Doctoral School at Gdańsk University of Technology, who is scientifically affiliated with the Faculty of Technical Physics and Applied Mathematics, and will begin in September.

– The main goal of the research is the growth of crystals and measurements of physical properties under pressure in compounds referred to as so-called fragile magnets, or magnetic systems that are exceptionally sensitive to external factors. In these compounds, by applying pressure we can cause the magnetism to disappear, and at the same time reveal new, often surprising properties of the material, which is caused by the proximity of the quantum critical point - says Szymon Królak, MSc, Eng. – The analysis of systems located close to quantum critical points carries enormous potential, contributing significantly to understanding the nature of high-temperature superconductivity.

The Bekker program scholarship holder is also a laureate of the "Pearls of Science" program of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education - With funding granted by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the student is conducting the project "Layered Oxypnictides of Transition Metals: Kondo Systems, Magnetism, and Superconductivity" at the Department of Strongly Correlated Electron Systems, Faculty of Technical Physics and Applied Mathematics at Gdańsk University of Technology, under the supervision of Professor Tomasz Klimczuk.

Szymon Królak, MSc, Eng. was also featured in the series "Young Scientists of the Tri-City" on the portal Trójmiasto.pl