Laboratory Condensed Matter (LSC)
in the Photon Science Division
The research focusses on condensed matter and materials science using synchrotron radiation. For this we use the whole range of spectroscopy, imaging and diffraction techniques.
Current Highlights and News
Characterisation of work hardening and springback in Ti
Interrupted standard tensile tests with in situ x-ray diffraction and quasi-in situ electron backscatter diffraction reveal the origin behind the work hardening plateau and springback.
Ultrafast Transient Increase of Oxygen Octahedral Rotations in a Perovskite
Via femtosecond x-ray diffraction, we observe an ultrafast increase of the octahedral rotation angle in the perovskite EuTiO3 after ultrafast laser excitation. This is opposite to what is expected from an increase in temperature. We ascribe this increase to an effective change of ionic sizes that transforms directly into a change of the Goldschmidt tolerance factor. Rotating oxygen octahedra at will opens up the possibility to control electronic and magnetic properties of perovskites on ultrafast timescales.
Research and tinkering – SwissFEL in 2019
The newest large research facility at the Paul Scherrer Institute, SwissFEL, has been completed. In January 2019 it began regular operation. Henrik Lemke, head of the SwissFEL Bernina research group, gives an interim report.