Condensed Matter Research Center
Youichi Murakami
Condensed Matter Research Center/ Photon Factory, IMSS, KEK
The Condensed Matter Research Center (CMRC) was established on April 1, 2009, in theInstitute of Materials Structure Science (IMSS). The objective of the CMRC is to pursue
cutting-edge research on condensed matter science through the comprehensive use ofmulti-probes supplied by the IMSS, such as synchrotron light, neutrons, muons, and slow
positrons. The CMRC has four research groups: the correlated electron matter group, thesurface/interface group, the matter under extreme conditions group, and the soft matter group.
The research subjects of these groups are matched with the areas of excellence on which theIMSS focuses attention. The groups in the CMRC promote the following six projects.
1. Hybridized orbital ordering project: The ordered states of the electronic degrees offreedom play very important roles in strongly correlated electron systems. In particular, thehybridization effect of the electronic orbitals has been a central issue in this field. In thisproject, both the hybridized orbital ordering between localized and itinerant electrons and thecharge/spin/orbital orderings will be studied under high pressure or a strong magnetic field.
Resonant hard/soft X-ray and neutron scattering techniques are used complementarily.
2. Geometrical correlation project: Geometrical frustration often produces novel phenomena
in strongly correlated electron systems, such as the heavy fermion state in which anomalous
mass enhancement occurs. The objective of this project is to determine a characteristic
correlation time for fluctuation in itinerant systems with strong electron correlation under theinfluence of geometrical frustration using muons, neutrons, and synchrotron X-rays, whichhave different probing-time scales.
3. Molecular crystal project: In this project, electronic correlation in molecular crystal
systems will be investigated to elucidate novel phenomena such as superconductivity,
magnetism, ferroelectricity and charge ordering. We will analyze the crystal structure underhigh pressure using a pressure cell developed specifically for molecular crystals to elucidate
the mechanism of superconductivity. The charge ordering state of molecular crystal systems
is sometimes destroyed under an electric field. The transient behavior from charge ordered todisordered state will be investigated using structural analysis by synchrotron X-rays.
4. Surface/interface project: Crystal structures and electronic structures at the surface andinterface of magnetic thin films and multilayers are studied through depth-resolved magnetic
circular dichroism (MCD)/X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), resonant X-ray scattering(RXS), and neutron reflectivity. This research is important for developing materials for new
electronics, called “spintronics,” as well as for basic surface and interface science.
5. Extreme conditions project: The targets of this project are compounds in the Earth’score/mantle as well as light element minerals. We are studying changes in the crystal
structures, electronic structures, spin states, valence states, and chemical bonding of thesecompounds to understand changes in density and in elastic, geological, transport, andchemical properties. We will use diffraction and spectroscopy techniques employing
synchrotron X-rays and neutrons.
6. Soft matter project: This project has three research objectives: spontaneous motion under
non-equilibrium conditions, hierarchical structure of a soft matter complex resulting fromself-organization, and functional soft matter interfaces for industrial applications. We areconducting basic studies of these three fields by complementary use of synchrotron X-rays,neutrons, and muons.