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Laboratory for Synthesis and
Measurement of Transport, Magnetic and Thermodynamic Properties
In this
Laboratory, we conduct the synthesis of amorphous materials,
metallic glasses, nanocrystalline alloys, polymers, high-temperature
superconductors and, most recently, high-quality monocrystals of
various types of topological insulators with superior properties (low
charge carrier density and high mobility), as well as potential
topological superconductors necessary for the detection of new
physical phenomena anticipated in topological insulators. The
synthesized samples are characterized by structure, transport,
thermodynamic and magnetic properties measurements. The current
equipment includes several ovens (up to 1600 °C), a differential
scanning calorimeter (100-830 K), a helium refrigerator (10-400 K),
a cryostat with a 10 T magnet (1.7-400 K), and an RF device, along
with the necessary setup for measuring transport, thermodynamical
and magnetic properties. The principal research interests of the
Laboratory are the development of new materials, the investigation
of collective phenomena (superconductivity and magnetism), weak
localization, spin-orbit interaction and spin scattering in metallic
glasses, phenomena that arise as a consequence of Dirac dispersion,
the spin momentum locking effect, and the π-Berry phase of
topologically protected metal sufrace phases. Special emphasis is
put on the development of highly sensitive methods for measuring
magnetization - using a piezo-resistive micro-cantilever, heat
capacity and thermoelectrical effects.
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Group leader
Ivan Kokanović, Associate professor
Group members
1. Mario Novak, Assistant professor
2. Mirko Baćani, Ph.D.
3. Sanda Pleslić, Ph.D.
4. Filip Orbanić, Ph.D. student |
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The
Laboratory investigates the micro-structure of modern materials. It
is equipped with an X-ray diffractometer for polycrystalline samples,
and a high-resolution transmission electron microscope, along with a
complete sample preparation setup.
The
detectors prepared and tested in this laboratory are used for
fundamental research in experimental nuclear physics conducted in
accelerator centers MAMI (Mainz Microtron), Germany, DAFNE (Laboratori
Nazionali di Frascati), Italy, and CERN, Switzerland. The laboratory
is also engaged in the application of nuclear methods: materials,
medicine and environment. 
Research
conducted in this laboratory is directed towards the investigation
of atomic and molecular processes in high-pressure discharges, low-temperature
plasma properties, and the interaction of atoms and laser light with
alkaline vapor or ionized gas.
In
this Laboratory the magnetic and electrical properties of various
materials are investigated, including static magnetization and AC
susceptibility, electrical transport in magnetic fields and magnetic
properties in electric fields. This enables the study of magnetic
ordering and dynamics in nano-magnets, interactions in various
complex materials, critical phenomena in superconductors and
magnetics, magnetoelectric effects along with numerous other
interesting occurrences of modern physics. The investigated systems
include magnetic nano-particles, magnetic-ion complexes, organic
magnetic materials, multiferroics, superconductors, alloys, complex
magnetic structures and other materials of importance for basic and
applied physics. The Laboratory equipment includes a SQUID and a
vibrating sample magnetometer, an AC susceptometer and the
instrumentation necessary for electric transport measurement, which
enables precise and exhaustive measurements of magnetic and electric
properties in a wide range of temperatures (2-1000 K) and magnetic
fields ( up to 18 T), appropriate both for basic characterization of
new materials and detailed studies of interesting phenomena. 
Observational
astrophysics applied to galaxy formation and evolution.
We
use neurodynamic methods for functional brain imaging,
magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG), the
investigation of sensory and cognitive processes, multisensory
integration and cortical plasticity in basic and translational
research, including studies from the area of educational neuro-science.
Along with the empirical MEG investigation we use numerical
simulations in order to gain insight into the accuracy and precision
of parameter determination depending on the model and approach used
for monitoring the dynamics and topology of cortical networks. Due
to the lack of an MEG laboratory in Zagreb, we conduct our
measurements in cooperation with the Los Alamos National Laboratory
(LANL), MIND Research Network and UNM, Albuquerque, NM, BioMag
Laboratory, Aalto University, and MEG laboratories in Heidelberg and
Jena (TU Ilmenau).