Fyzikální ústav Akademie věd ČR

Mission: To study and reveal the interconnection between microscopic mechanism of magnetism and other physical properties (such as electric and thermal transport, crystal structure, charge and orbital order elastic properties, ...) in solids with different characteristic length-scales.

Approach: We rely on outstanding historical experience in a research of magnetism, magnetic structures and investigation of materials response to extreme stimuli which is performed in the Institute of Physics since more than 60 years. Exploring novel fields and directions, we build our new scientific achievements both on theoretical and experimental investigation of novel materials with unique properties. Our current research is oriented to magnetic, magnetocaloric, thermal, electric and superconducting properties of novel intermetallic and oxide materials prepared in a form of various morphologies. As nowadays the standard, our research is notably framed by awarded grants and collaborations. These cover both the basic research of experimental and theoretical character, both the research aiming to applications.

Despite that magnetism or its microscopic origin represents a common, but sometimes hidden meaning of our research, we structure the team-research into several sub-domains where scientific topics can be grasped:

1. Theory, magnetic spectroscopy and superconductivity (ab-initio electronic structure calculations, polarons in strongly correlated systems, theory of crystal field in rare-earth complex oxides, superconductors in mixed state probed by Far Infrared Spectroscopy, ...)
2. Technology and characterization of magnetic transition metal oxides at various scales- from ceramics to nano. We interrelate local magnetic interactions and long range order (probed by precise magnetometry, neutron diffraction, …) with electric, magneto-electric and thermal transport. The material research of Fe, Co and Mn based oxides is promising in regards to high-temperature thermoelectric energy conversion and magnetic theranostics (nano-materials for medical and biological applications)
3. Material research at extreme conditions, namely under high pressures, high magnetic fields and low temperatures is performed. Magnetic Pressure-Temperature phase diagrams of the 3d- and 4(5)f-element alloys are studied and determined. The Heusler alloys (Ni₂MnGa type) where the magnetocaloric effect can be substantially tuned by a variation of composition and by an external hydrostatic pressure are explored. The scope of the laboratory research includes design and construction of high pressure measuring cells.

Examples of magnetic arrangements of Mn cations in perovskites. CE type (left) and Pseudo-CE type (right).