Other Methods

Our group is a one-stop-shop for quantum magnetism. We start by synthesizing our own samples and growing our own crystals  using wet chemistry or high temperature furnaces. We then analyze the crystal structure of the new materials using powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction. A whole range of studies are then performed in our cryogenics labs where we can reach temperatures down to 50 mK, magnetic fields up to 14 T and in certain cases pressures as high as 40 kbar. We learn of quantum spin fluctuations in our materials through calorimetric, magnetic and dielectric experiments. Magnetic and lattice excitations are also studied using high resolution Raman spectroscopy. All these experiments provide invaluable information and also help prepare for neutron scattering experiments at large scale user facilities. We also develop our own data analysis methods and software, for example for dealing with energy and momentum resolution effects. In certain cases neutron data are complemented by collaborative of facility-based local-probe experiments such as NMR, muSR and Mössbauer spectroscopy. And of course in the end we collaborate with theorists to better understand our results or even dabble in theoretical calculations ourselves.