Advanced Experimental Techniques in Condensed Matter Physics

Module details:

*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.

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