PhD position: Local probing of topological insulators and 2-dimensional materials

Phenomena emerging from relativistic electrons in solids have become one the main topical subjects in condensed matter physics. Among a wealth of intriguing new phenomena, several classes of materials have emerged including 2-dimensional materials (graphene and others) and topological insulators. Although the physics underlying the functionality of these new materials is completely different from that of conventional electronic materials , the electronic and topological phenomena can be tuned using equivalent approaches (doping and alloying). While it is known that the functional properties are strongly dependent on the local structure of dopants and alloying elements, these effects are poorly understood (if at all) in these new materials and phenomena. This project is specifically targeted to close this understanding gap, through a unique experimental approach that combines radioactive ion beams (at the ISOLDE facility at CERN) and high-brilliance X-ray radiation (at synchrotron facilities). The project in embedded in a wide network of international research groups with expertise on local probing of functional materials, on graphene and on topological insulators.