Structural, magnetic and magnetotransport study of ion beam implanted nanocomposites

A PhD student is required to undertake a structural, magnetic and magnetotransport study of nanocomposites made by low-energy ion implantation. The research involves the implantation of magnetic and nonmagnetic ions into different thin films with a focus on diamond-like carbon (DLC). DLC is a mix of carbon with sp2 and sp3 hybridisation. Ion beam modification offers precise routes to control thin film characteristics where new nanostructures have been found that have not been reported before. Ion implantation work will be undertaken at the unique GNS Science ion implanter laboratory in Lower Hutt, close to Wellington. The nanostructured films will be studied by methods that include RBS, resonant nuclear reaction analysis (RNRA), TEM, AFM and Raman spectroscopy. The magnetic and magnetotransport properties will be researched using New Zealand’s only magnetic property measurement system (MPMS) and physical properties measurement system (PPMS) that allow measurements up to 8 T and down to 2 K.

The student will be supervised by Dr Andreas Markwitz from GNS Science and Prof Grant Williams from Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) [1,2]. Both researchers are Principal Investigators in the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology [3] that is a New Zealand Centre of Research Excellence involving most of the universities in New Zealand as well as GNS Science, a Crown Research Institute. The scholarship will be funded by the MacDiarmid Institute.

The successful candidate will undertake a PhD at VUW that is located in Wellington, New Zealand [1], which is a very scenic city and offers a mild year round climate. Most of the research will be undertaken at GNS Science [2].

The successful applicant should have a physics degree equivalent to the 4-year BSc (Honours) degree in New Zealand, with 1st class Honours, or an MSc or postgraduate Diploma with high grades. We are seeking a highly motivated person with an excellent academic record and a good understanding of solid state physics. Candidates should satisfy the requirements for admission as a PhD candidate at Victoria University of Wellington [4].