ISIS POLREF Science Highlights

POLREF Science Highlights

Our Science Highlight articles cover the diverse research that takes place at our facility. Read all our Science Highlight articles using POLREF below:

Dr William Griggs: Using Neutrons to investigate FeRh thin films.
ISIS User William Griggs has been awarded his Doctorate from the University of Manchester based on work undertaken investigating FeRh thin films using the POLREF Instrument.
Showing the value of using a full toolbox of techniques for evaluating quantum materials
Only by using the combination of polarised neutron reflectometry, X-ray spectroscopy and magnetotransport have researchers been able to characterise individual layers of a potential candidate for building future quantum computers.
The Devon vs Cornwall cream tea debate – but for spintronic systems
It’s a longstanding debate in Britain as to whether you should spread jam or cream first on your scones. Researchers have found that the order in which you assemble magnetic and superconducting materials also makes a difference.
Photovoltaic perovskites can detect neutrons
A simple and cheap device for detecting neutrons has been developed by a team of EPFL researchers and their collaborators.
$Gavin Stenning from the ISIS materials characterisation lab with one of the ISIS X-ray diffractometers.$
Uncovering the cause of surprise superconductivity
Superconductivity and ferromagnetism were previously thought to not be able to co-exist within the same material, however, scientists from the University of Leeds have been investigating the superconductivity present in samples of ferromagnetic material.
Using buckyballs to create new superconducting systems
Researchers have been able to tune superconducting correlations by introducing molecular interfaces made of carbon.
Fine tuning of the magnetic properties within thin films
Using ion beams at different intensities leads to depth selective control over which magnetic phase is present in FeRh thin films.
Revisiting magnetism for brain-like computers
Back in 2012, we highlighted work done by Professor Christopher Marrows towards developing a new type of computer architecture that operates in the same way as a human brain. We got back in contact with him to speak about how his work has progressed.
Using neutrons to measure the helix pitch for calculating the Topological Hall Effect
Magnetic sandwiches transferring information through their filling
Layered magnetic materials have been studied at ISIS to determine the influence of layer thickness on an effect known as exchange bias. This effect was discovered in the mid 1950s and remains essential for our modern data storage and microelectronics.
The structural and magnetic properties of thin-film yttrium iron garnet
A team of researchers has used a variety of techniques to study the structural and magnetic properties of single crystal thin-film yttrium iron garnet.
Helical magnetic structures helter-skeltering towards skyrmion-based low energy data storage and logic processing.
Using neutrons to measure the helix pitch for calculating of the topological Hall effect (THE)
Getting to grips with corrosion
Neutron reflectometry has been used to improve our fundamental understanding of corrosion and corrosion inhibitors.
Neutrons help in the fight against antibiotic resistance
Researchers at ISIS Neutron and Muon Source in collaboration with Newcastle University have created the first model of the outer membrane of the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli).
Powerful new tool gives hope of overcoming antibiotic resistance.
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has become one of the biggest health concerns of the 21st century. New work into disabling rather than destroying bacteria may help mankind win the on-going battle against bacterial disease and antibiotic resistance.
Could plastic waste make better batteries?
Heating plastic carrier bags to very high temperatures produces a form of carbon that could help improve the properties of batteries.
ISIS ‘oils the wheels’ in the study of lubricant additives
In times where cracking down on energy consumption, cutting emissions and saving resources are central environmental concerns – enhanced lubricants, with the potential to increase operating efficiency in many systems, are attracting global interest.
First steps to a brainy computer
The brain, at the centre of the nervous system, is the most complex organ in the body. A vast neural network of around 100 billion neurons makes connections via synapses and is thought to be the basis of memory