A new way to image and map surface conductivity in condensed matter systems
ABSTRACT :
I will present a colloquial overview of the high sensitivity magneto-optical imaging technique that our group at IITK has developed, in order to map the electric current distribution within materials. The method is quite versatile and can be used to investigate a wide range of condensed matter phenomena. Specifically, I will try and describe our recent work on using this technique to understand the behavior of surface conductivity in the exotic class of quantum materials viz., in topological insulators. If time permits, I will quickly reflect also on some of our latest findings on using this method to study the intriguing metal insulator transition in Nickelate thin films.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Prof. Satyajit completed his Ph.D. from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai, India, in 2000. Between 2000 to 2004 he was a Feinberg postdoctoral fellow at the Weizmann Institute of Science Israel. Since 2004 he is a faculty member of the Department of Physics at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK), India, and a Professor since 2012. At IIT Kanpur he has set up a state-of-the-art magneto-optical setup for imaging weak local magnetic fields distribut ed across various materials. He has used it to image the distribution of small electric current flowing across different materials of current interest. His research areas include, strong correlation driven physics in topological insulators, superconductors and magnetic materials and their heterostructures, applications of superconductivity and controlling instabilities in them, and developing applications based on superconductivity. One of his lab goals is to continuously sharpen and develop sensitive techniques for exploring condensed matter phenomena’s. He has handled 11 research grants. With more than 85 publications in international peer-reviewed journals which include 5 PRL’s, 2 international patents and three filed, he has an h-index score of 22. Currently, 12 Ph.D. students have graduated from his lab. He serves on some national committees and has also some organized international conferences, like the recent concluded vortex 2021.