Surface Group Ph.D. graduates Jamie and Alifah.

Available Ph.D. and M.Sc. projects

1. Altermagnetic heterostructures

This Ph.D. project focuses on the MBE growth of CrSb and related materials. CrSb is now recognised as an altermagnetic material with potential applications in spintronics. The growth of controlled heterostructures of CrSb, MnSb and GaSb allows tuning of magnetic order along with interfacing to conventional III-V semiconductor materials. Collaborations include NTC Pilsen, Czechia, and European neutron / X-ray facilities. Full project outline.

2. Topological optoelectronics through semiconductor / semimetal heterostructures

This Ph.D. project focuses on the growth of SrMnSb₂, TaAs and InBi by MBE. These topological semimetals show unique electronic properties such as spin-momentum locking and dissipationless transport and could support new functionalities in spintronics when incorporated into III-V semiconductor heterostructures. Collaborations include Santa Clara University, USA, CY Cergy University, France, and European and American ultra-fast diffraction/ARPES facilities. Full project outline.

3. Advanced photocathodes integrated with gaseous electron multipliers

This M.Sc. or Ph.D. project combines thin-film and surface physics with charge transport and multiplication in inert gas at atmospheric pressure. Our goal is to develop ultra-violet light sensors with a world-leading combination of properties (speed, responsivity, tunability and scalability). It is a joint project with the Elementary Particle Physics Group at Warwick and involves collaboration with the Accelerator Science & Technology Group at Daresbury Laboratories, UK, and with UK companies. Financial support for a research visit to Monash University in Australia could be available for a student on this project, to work with the Environmental Engineering team. Full project outline.

Other project ideas

Please contact Gavin Bell if you are interested in a computational M.Sc. or Ph.D. project related to these topics, or have an interest in thin film growth of functional materials such as thermoelectrics, ZnSb, TiN or CuBa.

How to apply for MSc and PhD places

Please refer to the Postgraduate Admissions pages for details on how to apply and obtain financial support. Note that these may be two different processes: you may separately apply for financial support having obtained a conditional offer from us, or a project may be "attached" to funding.

Haiyuan Wang's

Science Faculty Thesis Prize

certificate (2017).