Dr. Juergen Haase, Felix Bloch Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Leipzig
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Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) evolved from physics into many areas of research, and, today, its ability to generate images of the functioning human brain is perhaps the most fascinating application. Whether the focus is on medical diagnostic screening, the understanding of biomolecular processes, or the chemical structure of materials, measurement of molecular diffusion in porous materials, characterisation of topological or superconducting electronic states, it is all about following the time evolution of nuclear quantum states embedded in complex environments. While the involved energies are extremely small, less than fractions of a Kelvin, they can be studied for long periods of time, up to seconds or even hours, and tell the observer about intricate local interactions they experience during their life time. Obviously, the physics of the spin levels can be as complex as what surrounds them, and next to signal-to-noise issues, this is one of the main disadvantages of NMR. We will discuss some fundamentals of NMR and recent advances in the understanding hightemperature superconductivity as well as topological matter in solids, made possible by NMR. It will become clear that the power and flexibility of this old method should not be underestimated, in particular not in physics applications.
** Refreshments served from 2:45pm – 3:00pm in PAS 218. Thank you. **