Prof Arzhang Ardavan

Abstract:

Single crystals of the quasi-two-dimensional organic type II superconductor, κ-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu(NCS)2, have been studied in magnetic fields of up to 33 T and at temperatures between 0.5 K and 11 K using a compact differential susceptometer. When the magnetic field lies precisely in the quasi-two-dimensional planes of the material, there is strong evidence for a phase transition from the superconducting mixed state into a Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state, manifested as a change in the rigidity of the vortex system. The behaviour of the transition as a function of temperature is in good agreement with theoretical predictions.

Abstract:

We have investigated the molecular dynamics in the nematic liquid crystal 5CB using the ALC mu SR technique. Our measurements are consistent with a change in the amplitude of director fluctuations at the nematic-isotropic transition and we develop a model to describe this. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract:

We describe recently-developed GHz magneto-optical techniques which measure the Fermi-surface topologies and superconducting order parameter symmetry in organic molecular metals. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.