Material Physics Center (MPC-CFM)

Material Physics Center (MPC-CFM) is a centre created to foster international excellence in advanced materials nanoscience fundamental research. MPC-CFM research activity covers electronic, magnetic, optical and dielectric properties of condensed and soft matter systems, as well as surfaces and nanostructured architectures. Physical and chemical properties of materials and molecular assemblies are addressed by analysing their properties at the nanoscale. This is carried out by following a two-fold strategy, which consists of theoretical and experimental research methods that target the study of nanoscale properties of matter.

MPC-CFM research activity covers electronic, magnetic, optical and dielectric properties of condensed and soft matter systems, as well as surfaces and nanostructured architectures. Theoretical and experimental research methods are combined for the study of nanoscale properties of matter. MPC-CFM research activities are grouped into four (4) main lines, although the organisational structure remains fully horizontal and cross-linked, since multidisciplinary research is actively pursued:

I. CHEMICAL PHYSICS OF COMPLEX MATERIALS

The research line “Chemical Physics of Complex Materials” addresses the structural and electronic properties of complex nanostructured materials, particularly in the presence of molecules. Both experimental and theoretical efforts are combined to understand the properties, formation and dynamics of different molecules and nanostructures at surfaces.

The experimental laboratories are equipped with:

• Angle Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy (ARPES) system combined with atomic-resolved microscopy (Scanning Tunneling Microscope, STM)
• Ultra High Vacuum chamber combining different surface characterisation techniques: X-Ray Photoemission Spectroscopy (XPS), Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS), Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED) and Scanning Tunnel Microscope (STM) (with the possibility to use in Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) mode)
• Magneto Optic Kerr Effect (MOKE) set-up
• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) / Scanning Tunnel Microscope (STM) operable at 1K

II. ELECTRONIC PROPERTIES AT THE NANOSCALE

The research line “Electronic Properties at the Nanoscale” focuses on the theoretical investigation of electronic properties of solids, surfaces, nanostructures, and low-dimensional systems, including spintronics, nanomagentism, or attosecond dynamics in solids. The activity within this research line covers the study of a wide range of advanced materials at microscopic and mesoscopic scales, such as materials under high pressure or ceramics and cement-based materials. This latter are also studied experimentally, using equipment for synthesizing ceramics and cements.

III. PHOTONICS

The research line “Photonics” deals with the experimental and theoretical study of the interaction of radiation with matter from different and complementary approaches: (i) the interaction of light with metallic and semiconductor nanostructures to confine and engineer electromagnetic fields in the nanoscale, (ii) the optical properties of new materials and elements that provide improved properties in a variety of lasing effects, as well as the design of novel photonic structures that provide laser confinement for bioimaging, (iii) spectroscopy and photonic applications of nano-scale functional units, including different types of low‑dimensional systems, and (iv) the development of hybrid quantum devices based on the interaction of light and matter at the nanoscale.

The experimental laboratories are equipped with:

• Different spectroscopy systems with high spectral resolution in the ultraviolet-visible-infrared (UV-VIS-IR) radiation domains
• Confocal time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) set-up
• Optical tables for studying photon states
• Laser systems
• etc.

IV. POLYMERS AND SOFT MATTER

The research line “Polymers & Soft Matter” deals with the experimental and theoretical study of polymers and soft condensed matter materials, focusing mainly on the investigation of the structure and dynamics of polymers and glass-forming complex systems (multi-component, nano-structured and biopolymer materials) at different length and time scales (micro, nano, meso, macro). The following specific objectives have been targeted: (i) understanding of the interplay of geometry and topology in polymeric materials, (ii) the characterisation of interfacial features, and (iii) the study of the dynamics at the interfacial level, the new confinement effects and the way local friction arises in crowed environments.

The experimental effort are developed in a set of laboratories that are equipped, among others:

• Several spectrometers, covering a wide dynamical range and different sample environments
• Optical Confocal Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
• Equipment for the characterisation of physicochemical properties and stability of molecular and supramolecular chemical compounds
• Differential Scanning Calorimetrer (DSC), Thermogravimetric analyser (TGA), Dilatometer (DIL), etc. for thermal characterisation
• Rheometers
• Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS) and Wide Angle X-Ray Scattering (WAXS) techniques
• etc.

Overall, within this scientific structure, the applicant could collaborate with the different MPC-CFM research groups working on the following main strategic topics at MPC-CFM: Nanophotonics; Two-dimensional materials; Topological materials; Soft matter; Ab-initio characterization of nanostructured materials; Surface Nanophysics; Nanodevices; Quantum Technologies; and Ceramics and Cement-based materials.