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. Attendance at all lectures will be registered.
To register for term 2: click here
There course will offer 8 different sessions (NMR, Raman Spectroscopy, Magnetometry, XRD & Magnetic X ray scattering, Microscopy, XPS, Ultrafast & THz and Ultrasound techniques). The student will attend all the lectures (1 credit) and they should complete 4 practical classes (1 Credit).
- Lectures (~2hr): Theoretical foundations and core principles for groups of techniques.
- Practical Workshops (~4hr): Hands鈥憃n use of instruments or simulations/data analysis in small groups, followed by a group discussion/viva.
By the end of the module, students will be able to:
- Understand the physical bases of several techniques, such as (NMR, Raman Spectroscopy, Magnetometry, XRD, Microscopy, XPS, Ultrafast & THz and Ultrasound techniques.
- Design and run representative experiments, from sample to spectra or image.
- Analyse and interpret data: e.g., hyperfine splittings; crystal structures; surface chemical shifts; conductivity/magnetoresistance; time鈥憆esolved photonics signals.
This course takes a modular, hands-on approach to help PhD students in condensed matter physics build a solid understanding of key techniques. It covers a wide range of methods while giving students both the theory and practical experience they need.
Workload into credits:
1 credit – Term 1: Compulsory lectures (approximately 14–16 hours)
1 credit – Term 2:
- Term 2: Four practical classes (the techniques chosen should not normally be the primary technique for thesis) (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
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Term 1: Lectures (2h)
All lectures are compulsory |
Term 2 (Practical & Independent studies)
Choose at least 3 (the techniques chosen should not be the primary technique for thesis) |
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NMR |
12-Nov-2025 10.00-12.00h A. Howes (MAS 2.05/2.06) |
14-Jan-2026 09.00-13.00h NMR Facility |
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Raman |
12-Nov-2025 14.00-16.00h M. Newton (PS0.17) |
21-Jan-2026 09.00-13.00h Spectroscopy RTP |
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Magnetrometry |
19-Nov-2025 10.00-12.00h D. Mayoh (MAS 2.05/2.06) |
28-Jan-2026 09.00-13.00h Superconductivity and Magnetism Lab |
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XPS |
19-Nov-2025 14.00-16.00h C. Hurley (MAS 2.05/2.06) |
11-Feb -2026 09.00-13.00h Photoemission RTP |
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Microscopy |
26-Nov-2025 10.00-12.00h P. Wang (MAS 2.05/2.06) |
18-Feb -2026 09.00-13.00h Electron Microscopy RTP |
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XRD |
26-Nov-2025 14.00-16.00h D. Walker (MAS 2.05/2.06) |
25-Feb-2026 09.00-13.00h XRD RTP |
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Ultrafast & THz |
03-Dec-2025 10.00-12.00h A. Wright (MAS 2.05/2.06) |
04-March-2026 09.00-13.00h Ultrafast RTP |
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Ultrasound |
03-Dec-2025 14.00-16.00h R.Edward/S.Dixon (MAS 2.03/2.04) |
11-March -2026 09.00-13.00h Ultrasound lab |