Energiewende

Abkehr von der Kernenergie, Ausbau von Solar- und Windkraft, Energiegewinnung aus Biomasse, Senkung des Energieverbrauchs. Bis 2050 soll die Schweiz klimaneutral werden. Ein ehrgeiziges Ziel, welches durch die zunehmend herausfordernde geopolitische Lage dringlicher denn je geworden ist. Wie lässt sich in den nächsten Jahren eine nachhaltige und widerstandsfähige Energieversorgung für die Schweiz aufbauen? Wie können erneuerbare Energien optimal genutzt werden? Welche neuen Technologien sind besonders vielversprechend? Am PSI suchen Forschende nach Antworten auf diese entscheidenden Fragen.

Fogh et al

Field-induced bound-state condensation and spin-nematic phase in SrCu2(BO3)2 revealed by neutron scattering up to 25.9 T

In quantum magnetic materials, ordered phases induced by an applied mag- netic field can be described as the Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) of mag- non excitations. In the strongly frustrated system SrCu2(BO3)2, no clear magnon BEC could be observed, pointing to an alternative mechanism, but the high fields required to probe this physics have remained a barrier to detailed investigation.Here we exploit the first purpose-built high-field neutron scattering facility to measure ...

Cover image Nature Reviews Physics (January 2024)

LMS paper featured on the cover of Nature Reviews Physics

Our paper "How to verify the precision of density-functional-theory implementations via reproducible and universal workflows" was featured on the January 2024 cover of the journal Nature Reviews Physics!

Mu3e data challenege January 2024 - Control room

Second Mu3e Data Challenge at PSI

The Mu3e data challeneges aim at establishing the data processing and storage procedures as well as the online monitoring tools. To this end, we use simulated data to test all involved systems and further develop the code.

Sadykov_PROX_JCAT

Water-assisted generation of catalytic interface: The case of interfacial Pt-FeOx(OH)y sites active in preferential carbon monoxide oxidation

Pt-FeOx(OH)y interface with enhanced activity for PROX is generated via strong metal-support interaction. Increase in the degree of hydroxylation of Pt-FeOx(OH)y interface enhances the rate of PROX mediated by active Fe2+ species.

Guguchia et al

Designing the stripe-ordered cuprate phase diagram through uniaxial-stress

Understanding the degree to which charge-stripe, spin-stripe, and superconducting orders compete/coexist is paramount for elucidating the microscopic pairing mechanism in the cuprate high-temperature superconductors. We explore the tunability of magnetism, superconductivity, and crystal structure in the stripe phase of the cuprate La2−xBaxCuO4, by employing complementary techniques under compressive uniaxial stress in the CuOplane. Our results show a sixfold increase ...

Fig.1: Cumulative electricity requirement for the European fleet between 2018 and 2100

Climate-neutral aviation: will it fly?

The European aviation sector stands at a pivotal juncture in its quest to achieve net-zero climate impacts. Focusing on flight CO2 emissions overlooks up to 80% of the sector's climate repercussions.

Our research delves deep into the role of electricity-based synthetic jet fuels and direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS) as potential game-changers. These solutions promise climate-neutral aviation, but there's a catch: the relentless rise in air traffic. Relying solely on renewables-derived synthetic fuels may strain both economic and natural resources. On the flip side, offsetting fossil jet fuel impacts via DACCS poses its own set of challenges. Our findings underscore one clear message: for a genuinely climate-neutral European aviation, we must reconsider the scale of air traffic.

Park et al

Tetrahedral triple-Q magnetic ordering and large spontaneous Hall conductivity in the metallic triangular AFM Co1/3TaS2

The triangular lattice antiferromagnet (TLAF) has been the standard paradigm of frustrated magnetism for several decades. The most common magnetic ordering in insulating TLAFs is the 120° structure. However, a new triple-Q chiral ordering can emerge in metallic TLAFs, representing the short wave- length limit of magnetic skyrmion crystals. We report the metallic TLAF Co1/3TaS2 as the first example of tetrahedral triple-Q magnetic ordering with the associated topological Hall effect (non-zero σxy(H = 0)). We also ...

Andriushin et al

Phonon Topology and Winding of Spectral Weight in Graphite

The topology of electronic and phonon band structures of graphene is well studied and known to exhibit a Dirac cone at the K point of the Brillouin zone. Here, we applied inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS) along with ab initio calculations to investigate phonon topology in graphite, the 3D analog of graphene. We identified a pair of modes that form a very weakly gapped linear anticrossing at the K point that can be essentially viewed as a Dirac cone approximant. The IXS intensity ...

AWI Workplace

Welcome to the Science IT (AWI) Department New Workplace!

We are thrilled to welcome employees and guests to the Science IT area on the second floor of the new OBBA building. With its modern amenities and innovative design, this building serves as a testament to our commitment to fostering collaboration and creativity within the CSD division.

Jahresschlussapéro 2023

Jahresschlussapéro 2023

Jahresschlussapéro am 6. Dezember ohne «Samichlaus»

Pestalozzi Stiftepriis 2023

Pestalozzi Stiftepriis 2023

Am Freitag, 10. November, wurde bereits zum 41. Mal der traditionelle Schweizer Nachwuchspreis verliehen. Die Berufsbildung des PSI war auch mit einem ehemaligen Lernenden dabei.

Lubna Dada

Deciphering the Skies: Lubna Dada receives Ambizione grant funding for "BioPSI" Atmospheric Research Project

Lubna Dada, Scientist at the Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry (LAC) at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) was granted the Ambizione Grant 2023 with her project “Biological Particle Sources and Impact (BioPSI)”. Lubna’s journey of her visionary research project “BioPSI” is set to commence in January 2024, with the anticipation of welcoming a PhD student into the project.

ETH Zürich Public Tours 2024

Of Accelerators and Radioactivity

On March 26, 2024, Patrick Steinegger leads visitors of the ETH Zürich Public Tours 2024  through the proton accelerator facility of PSI.

 ahead of the game

Nuclear research in Switzerland

Patrick Steinegger on the 29th episode of NucTalk

Singh et al

Skyrmion metamorphosis: Lattice transitions of hybrid skyrmions in a polar magnet

Magnetic skyrmions, with their distinctive vortex-like magnetic spin configurations, continue to intrigue researchers due to their potential applications in nanoscience and technology. Traditionally skyrmions form two-dimensional hexagonal close-packed lattices, with the skyrmions themselves displaying one of just two types of internal magnetization texture known as Bloch- or Néel-type. Recent theories hinted at the prospect of reconfigurable transitions between skyrmion phases of different lattice types and internal textures. Until now, experimental evidence supporting such theories has been scarce.

Khasanov et al - 2

In-Plane Magnetic Penetration Depth in Sr2 RuO4 : Muon-Spin Rotation and Relaxation Study

We report on measurements of the in-plane magnetic penetration depth (λab) in single crystals of Sr2RuO4 down to ≃0.015  K by means of muon-spin rotation-relaxation. The linear temperature dependence of λ−2ab for T≲0.7  K suggests the presence of nodes in the superconducting gap. This statement is further substantiated by observation of the Volovik effect, i.e., the reduction of λ−2ab as a function of the applied magnetic field. The experimental zero-field ...

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Switching Off the Surface Conductivity of Strontium Titanate by Non-Volatile Organic Adsorbates

Strontium titanate is a wide band gap semiconductor. Its surface can be rendered conductive by a mild annealing in vacuum. The present study reveals that by deposition of less than a monolayer of non-volatile organic molecules such as tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) this conductivity can be completely turned off. In view of the small size of TCNQ (ca. 1 nm) this could allow new pathways toward oxide-based electronics.

MultiBlade

Neutron reflectometer Amor at SINQ receives the ESS MultiBlade detector

The neutron reflectometer Amor now uses the ESS MultiBlade detector, with improved resolution, angular coverage and dynamical range.

Maria Szola

Welcome to LXN Maria Szola

Herzlich Willkommen Maria Szola im LXN!