Nuclear magnetic resonance and synthesis of novel intermetallic compounds

• Grant number: 14/14710-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2014
• End date: August 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Rodrigues Urbano
• Grantee: Gabriel Artur Weiderpass
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin (IFGW). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 12/05903-6 - Nuclear magnetic resonance of novel complex and advanced materials in condensed matter physics, AP.JP

Abstract

This current research plan is to introduce the undergraduate student Gabriel Weiderpass in to basic research in the Experimental Physics area. In particular, the idea is to help him in his development of the required background to perform Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR and NQR) experiments in novel intermetallic compounds. In that sense, we will be focused on systems and samples of great interest to our research group (GPOMS) in the IFGW-Unicamp such as the family RMBi2 (R = Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Sm and M = Pt and Cu) as an example. The main goal here is not to restrict the project only to a characterization of a particular physical system of interest but rather to put the student in contact with fundamental details of the NMR and NQR techniques. Gabriel will get knowledge of the basic theory related to the phenomenon of resonance and will be taught to prepare and assemble single-crystalline samples on to NMR probes (with goniometer). In this project, the student will also be able to make NMR coils (pick up coils) for tuning the Larmor frequency of the nucleous to be observed and will be familiar with an osciloscope and network analyzer, frequently used during the NMR/NQR experiments.Moreover, during the development of this project, it is expected that the student get to learn about the NMR/NQR aquisition softwares - TNMR and MagRes 2000 - and be able to program the rf pulse sequencies for pulse calibration and for the spin-spin (T2) and spin-lattice (T1) relaxation time measurements. Also, the student will be taught to use data analysis softwares such as Origin, Mathematica, Igor, Matlab, etc., always keeping in mind the limitation of a beginner.