2009 Annual Report Vol.37 - 中研院物理研究所 - Academia Sinica

Zernike contrast image of a 180nm-thick Siemens star test pattern with
30-nm minimum separation at the center
(2) Nanomaterial and low temperature physics
• High Tc Superconductors
• Magnetic Materials
• Size Effect in Nano Materials
• Heavy Fermion
• Thin Film
• Thermoelectric materials
• Temperature sensor
The nanomaterial and low temperature physics research group was established in
1989. It involves two full-time faculty members and maintains a size of around 20
researchers comprised of visiting scholars, post-doctors, assistants, and students. Our
research interests include phenomena that associated with strongly correlated electron
systems such as heavy fermion physics, Kondo effect and high temperature
superconductivity. Other areas include the understanding of quantum-size effects on
the above mentioned phenomena and others such as thermopower and
thermoconductivity in alloys and/or semiconductors. We have developed our own
research equipments such as a He3 SQUID magnetometer, low-temperature
microcalorimeter, and thermopower & thermoconductivity measurement systems.
Magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity measurements can be achieved for
magnetic field up to 20 T and pressure up to 20 kbars in a dilution refrigerator. We
also have setups for the preparation of nanoparticles, thin film and single crystals.
Some past research accomplishments are summarized in the following:
• We have observed several interesting quantum-size effects on the magnetisim
or superconductivity in nanomaterials of heavy fermion systems.
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