On Monday, September 7, our doctoral students Ankit Labh, Suhaas Gupta, and Petr Machovec successfully defended their doctoral theses.
Ankit’s thesis was titled "Quantum magnetism in minerals," Suhaas defended a thesis titled "Preparation and study of structure and properties of semiconductor nanoparticles and nanostructures," and Petr’s thesis focused on the "Study of thin metal-oxide layers by means of x-ray scattering methods."
In his PhD thesis, Ankit focused on the experimental study of quantum magnetism in minerals, primarily using inelastic neutron scattering and muon techniques. The main part of the work centered on henmilite—where we demonstrated a quantum-disordered state of coupled spin ladders and triplon condensation at very low magnetic fields—as well as clinoatacamite. Following his doctorate, he intends to pursue a career in research, continuing his work in quantum magnetism and neutron spectroscopy. He has submitted an MSCA grant application with Kim Lefmann and is simultaneously exploring other suitable postdoctoral opportunities in Europe.
In his doctoral thesis titled, Suhaas worked on the synthesis and physical characterization of three distinct yet conceptually interconnected low-dimensional semiconductor systems: i) manganese-doped zinc sulfide (Zn₀.₉₈Mn₀.₀₂S) quantum dots synthesized via co-precipitation; ii) zinc sulfide (ZnS) thin films deposited on p-type silicon (p-Si) substrates using chemical bath deposition; and iii) hybrid organic-inorganic methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr₃) perovskite nanoplatelets synthesized via a modified ligand-assisted re-precipitation method. All three systems are highly relevant to the field of modern optoelectronic technologies, where the control of macroscopic material properties relies on the nanoscopic manipulation of dimensionality, surface boundaries, interfaces, and defects. In the future, he intends to continue his career either as a postdoctoral researcher in academia or by working in industry within the fields of applied physics or materials research.
Petr’s doctoral thesis was focused on developing a methodology for determining complex textures using a novel rapid reciprocal-space mapping technique; a method for identifying inhomogeneities in artificial superlattices via X-ray diffraction and reflectometry; and a method for the quantitative characterization of phase separation in mixed organic perovskites based on measured diffraction profiles. He will continue his work in materials research but is moving to the commercial research institute COMTES.
We congratulate all our successful colleagues and wish them every success in their future endeavors!
