Physical Chemistry / Chemical Physics: Fully Funded Swansea University PhD Scholarship: Development of magnetic beam Imaging – a new approach for ultra-gentle surface microscopy
Funding provider: Swansea University's Faculty of Science and Engineering
Subject areas: Physical chemistry, Chemical Physics
Project start date:
- 1 April 2022 (Enrolment open from mid–March)
- 1 July 2022 (Enrolment open from mid-June)
Supervisors: Professor Gil Alexandrowicz and Dr Helen Chadwick
Aligned programme of study: PhD in Chemistry
Mode of study: Full-time
Project description:
This aim of this project is to develop and implement a completely new microscopy method, magnetic beam imaging, a method which will be capable of imaging the surface of delicate specimens which cannot be studied using existing microscopes. In recent years extensive efforts have been made to develop neutral helium microscopes which can image specimens without causing damage or perturbing the surface[1]. The spatial resolution in existing neutral beam microscopes is severely limited with respect to some other microscopes. In this project an alternative neutral-beam microscopy method will be developed. The new approach is based on magnetic manipulation methods, developed in our group in the last few years [2], which use magnetic fields to control the spin-rotational quantum states of atoms/molecules. These manipulation methods are currently used to study the interaction of molecules with surfaces, but will be modified and adapted to produce spatial resolution images of the specimen the beam interacts with. The imaging method, which will be tested for the first time in this project, is expected to significantly surpass the resolution and measurement time restriction of existing neutral beam microscopes, and potentially provide new contrast mechanisms related to the magnetic properties of the surface.
[1] Nature Communications 7, 10189 (2016)
[2] Nature Communications 11, 3110 (2020)
Established in 1920, Swansea University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Swansea (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Wales. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Privy Council, Swansea University is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 15,000-19,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Swansea University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 99 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.