Radboud University
Around the turn from November to December, HFML-FELIX witnessed a remarkable run of successful PhD defenses.
Dr. Sanne Kristensen kicked off this relay with her thesis entitled Dielectric and magnetic properties of strongly correlated electron systems in high magnetic fields and the portrayal of physics in Dutch news, receiving her Doctor's title on 25 November from Profs. Alix McCollam and Nigel Hussey.
Sanne’s thesis work was rather unique, in the sense that she combined experimental condensed matter physics research with research in the field of science communication. The former involved an experimental study of multiferroicity (whereby two or more ordered states are entwined) and in particular how the physical properties of a multiferroic material change as it is tuned through a quantum phase transition – the first time such an experiment had been performed. For the latter, Sanne conducted a survey of the portrayal of physics in the Dutch media, researching newspaper articles published over a fixed period in the most popular Dutch newspapers.
Having a productive week, Alix McCollam subsequently promoted Dr Femke Bangma on 30 November, now together with Uli Zeitler, for her PhD thesis Novel ordered phases and quantum criticality of 4f-electron systems in high magnetic fields and ultra-low temperatures.
During her doctoral work, Femke investigated fundamental physical properties of several materials with correlated 4f electrons. She developed and performed sophisticated experiments at extremely low temperatures and in very high magnetic fields, which were carried out at HFML-FELIX and at the Department of Physics, Royal Holloway, University of London. In addition, she created a theoretical framework to further explain the experimentally observed quantum phases and the quantum phase transitions between them. The exceptional quality and persistence of Femke's doctoral thesis were highly praised by the jury.
Finally, on 5 December, it was the turn for Dr. Frank Wensink, with his dissertation Activation of hydrocarbons by gas-phase metal ions to be handed his diploma, now out of the hands of Dr. Joost Bakker and Prof Andrei Kirilyuk.
Frank set up a new experimental combination of laser ablation source coupled to an ion trap, where laser ablated metal ions can be reacted with gaseous molecules such as methane. The interaction with metal ions leads to the chemical activation of the molecules. The product distribution can be mass-analysed as well as spectroscopically characterized in the Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass-spectrometer that is interfaced with the FELICE intra cavity free-electron laser. Frank demonstrated the potential of the new combination by investigating several activation reactions involving hydrocarbon molecules.
Congratulations to all three for their successful PhD defences!