Advanced Experimental Techniques in Condensed Matter Physics

Module details for 2026/27

*This module is currently open to Warwick students only*

Please contact the module organiser, Alex Robertson (alex.w.robertson@warwick.ac.uk), if you have any questions about the module.

To register for term 1: click here.

To register for term 2: click here

The course will offer lectures and practical workshops on a selection of techniques useful for experimental condensed matter physicists. You must attend all the lectures to get 1 credit for Term 1, and then complete four practical classes to get 1 credit for Term 2.

Lectures (~2hr): Theoretical foundations and core principles for groups of techniques.
Practical Workshops (~4hr): Hands‑on use of instruments or simulations/data analysis in small groups, followed by a group discussion/viva.

By the end of the module, you will be able to:

Understand the physics of a range of useful experimental techniques.
Design and run representative experiments, from sample preparation to acquiring a spectrum or image.
Analyse and interpret data.

This course takes a combination of lectures plus a hands-on approach to help you build a solid understanding of key techniques that are likely to be relevant to you during the course of your PhD.

This module complements the Condensed Matter Physics Seminars graduate credit here.

Workload into credits:

1 credit – Term 1: Registered in-person lectures (approximately 14–16 hours)

1 credit – Term 2:

Term 2: Four practical classes of roughly 3-4hr each
Practical classes end with a group discussion/viva
Note: It is expected that you have attended and revised the appropriate lecture from term 1 in advance of the corresponding practical class

Term 1 2026 Lectures	Morning session 10:00 to 12:00 (P5.23Link opens in a new window)	Afternoon session 14:00 to 16:00 (MAS2.05/06Link opens in a new window)
Wednesday November 4th	X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy - C. Hurley	Electron Microscopy - P. Wang
Wednesday November 11th	Ultrasound - S. Dixon	Ultrafast Spectroscopy - A. Wright
Wednesday November 18th	Magnetometry - D. Mayoh	X-ray Diffraction - D. Walker
Wednesday November 25th	Nuclear Magnetic Resonance - A. Howes	In situ and Operando - A. Robertson

Term 2 2027 Practical Workshops

Details to follow