Magnetism and Quantum Phenomena in f-Electron Materials
Rare-earth (4f) and actinide (5f)-based materials exhibit electronic and magnetic properties governed by strong spin–orbit interaction, electronic correlations, and crystal-field effects, leading to unconventional superconductivity, complex magnetism, and strong magnetic anisotropy. Our research explores how these competing interactions can be controlled — from fundamental quantum states to materials for energy and advanced technologies.
Our research focuses on rare-earth and uranium-based materials, where magnetic, electronic, and structural degrees of freedom are tightly coupled. In these systems, small changes in interatomic distances, symmetry, or composition can lead to qualitatively different ground states.
We investigate:
- Magnetic anisotropy and exchange interactions in strongly anisotropic systems,
- Magnetoelastic coupling, including lattice distortions accompanying magnetic ordering,
- Field- and pressure-induced phase transitions,
- Magnetic frustration in geometrically constrained lattices.
We combine:
- preparation of high-quality single crystals and thin films,
- measurements in high magnetic fields and low temperatures,
- spectroscopic and surface-sensitive techniques to access electronic structure directly.
Beyond fundamental understanding, this research is relevant for energy-related materials, including nuclear materials and hydrogen-storage compounds
We collaborate with international facilities such as the Dresden High Magnetic Field Laboratory, enabling experiments in magnetic fields exceeding 60 T; the Joint Research Centre (JRC) Karlsruhe for electronic-structure studies of uranium-based materials; and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) for element-specific spectroscopy, as well as with theoretical collaborators across Europe.
