Meera Aravinth L&S Sciences
Investigating Magnetism in FexWSe2
Electromagnetism is a fundamental physical phenomenon, but there is still much to learn about how and why it takes shape in solids, where the interactions between many atoms can create unique and unexpected magnetic and electronic features. This summer, my SURF project will be an investigation of magnetism in FexWSe2. WSe2 is a transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD), which are often layered, quasi-2D materials which are being studied widely due to their promise in revealing foundational aspects of physics in low-dimensional systems. Intercalating a TMD with a transition metal such as iron can introduce exotic magnetic and electronic structures to the system and create features which could be useful in technological applications. I hope to spend this summer synthesizing a high-quality bulk crystal of FexWSe2 and then characterizing its magnetic features in the laboratory. Additionally, I will be learning techniques to analyze magnetization data and make predictions about interesting properties that may be present in this material. The successful growth and characterization of FexWSe2 would be a valuable study into a new material which could further our understanding of fundamental physics in solids.