Possible Thesis Topics

This page lists potential topics for diploma theses and Ph.D. theses at the institute E15. To obtain more information please contact the listed supervisors. In addition to these topics we can suggest other possibilities within the framework of our research areas. Don't hesitate to contact the members of the respective research groups if you are interested.

The titles of the diploma and Ph.D. theses that have been completed to date at the institute E15 are available online, some with summaries. In some cases the complete thesis is available. The theses are ordered according to the primary measurement technique:

• µSR spectroscopy
• Mössbauer spectroscopy
• Nuclear resonance scattering of synchrotron radiation
• Neutron activation analysis

• Diploma thesis: Study of the spinglass behaviour of beta-Mn(Sn) solid solutions
• Diploma thesis: Study of gold ruby glass by means of Mössbauer spectroscopy
• Diploma thesis: Mössbauer study of the A15 hydride Ti₃AuH_x
• Diploma thesis: Study of the magnetic properties of systems with strongly correlated electrons by means of muon spin relaxation

Within this thesis, diluted beta-Mn(Sn) alloys are to be studied systematically by means of Mössbauer spectroscopy on the isotope ¹¹⁹Sn. In addition, magnetization and susceptibility measurements are planned in collaboration with the University College London, using a SQUID magnetometer available there (travel funds for conducting these measurements in London are available). Additionally the thesis includes the preparation of the alloys with an arc furnace and the thermal treatment of the sample to obtain the beta modification of manganese, which is metastable at ambient temperature.

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. F. E. Wagner (see phone listing)

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Supervisor: Prof. Dr. F. E. Wagner (see phone listing)

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Supervisor: Prof. Dr. F. E. Wagner (see phone listing)

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Continuing the work of a recently completed diploma thesis, it is planned to perform and evaluate further µSR measurements on various samples of the system CeNiCu_1-xSn_x. Due to its special properties among the "systems of strongly correlated electrons", the intermetallic Ce compound CeNiSn has aroused special interest during recent years (CeNiSn is often called a "Kondo semiconductor"). By doping with Cu, the lattice parameter and the electronic structure of CeNiSn can be changed specifically. In the above mentioned diploma thesis, spinglass behaviour could be observed in a sample doped with 10% copper, in contrast to pure CeNiSn. At the lowest studied temperatures in the mK regime (measured by means of a He₃/He₄ dilution refrigerator) a perturbed magnetic order prevails. Further µSR experiments over a wider concentration range are necessary to classify the type of the magnetic order. Recently, two new samples with Cu concentrations of 5 and 20 %, respectively, have become available.

The measurements are connected with several short trips (about 2 weeks) to the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in England (near Oxford). There the spallation neutron source ISIS also offers several µSR measurement facilities. The project is a cooperation with several international research groups from the Hiroshima University (Japan), the Virginia State University (USA), the University of Southhampton (UK), and the University of Uppsala (Sweden).

Supervisor: Dr. A. Kratzer (see phone listing)

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