Non-conventional supercondutivity and magnetism

Abstract

With this research Project we are planning to concentrate our efforts on a study of the interplay between superconductivity and magnetism in unconventional superconductors and related systems. Both an extensive experimental and theoretical work should be performed with a close collaboration between experimental and theoretical groups. Our proposal is based on recent advances in the physics of carbon-based materials, heavy fermion superconductors, and related strongly correlated systems in which the occurrence of superconductivity may be coupled to either ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic order parameters. Briefly, we are planning to study recently discovered ferromagnetic and superconducting correlations in graphite and graphite-sulfur composites, antiferromagnetism and quantum fluctuations in heavy fermions systems. From the theoretical side, we propose to verify a possible occurrence of the Luttinger liquid in the carbon nanotubes, which is particularly interesting issue in the light of the recent observation of superconducting correlations in carbon nanotubes, and relativistic effects on magnetotransport properties in superconductors. We do hope to provide a significant contribution into the field. In order to achieve this goal we should develop various noveI experimental and theoretical approaches, including sample preparation and characterization methods. We should also effectively use already available at our institutions experimental techniques for (1) ac and dc susceptibility, (2) magnetization, (3) specific heat, (4) magnetotransport, (5) x-ray diffraction, (6) electron spin resonance, (7) microwave absorption, and (8) Raman scattering measurements. Many undergraduate and graduate students and recent Ph.D scientists will be involved in this Project. (AU)