Combining Practical Experience and Creativity in Experimental Physics
In an exciting development for 2024, our colleague Dr. Birte Seffert embarks on a nationwide tour to meet with the Klaus Tschira Boost Fund Fellows across Germany. The Keeping Up with the Boost Fellows series aims to shine a spotlight on the journeys, challenges, and achievements of our Fellows.
As a Klaus Tschira Boost Fund Fellow, Hilary Noad, group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids in Dresden, pushes the boundaries of experimental physics, working with cutting-edge cryogenic systems to explore the properties of materials at ultra-low temperatures.
In a world of large instruments with human names
In the lab, Hilary works with highly specialized equipment, including cryostats cooled by liquid helium, microscopes for delicate wiring, and optical profilers for precise measurements. One unique custom is that researchers often give human names to their machines—one cryostat system that Hilary is in charge of, is affectionately called “Mickey” and its counterpart, “Minnie”. She also works with a mobile electronics rack named Hildegard, a nod to Hildegard von Bingen, a 12th-century German polymath, composer, philosopher, and early scientist. This piece of equipment serves as a crucial tool for connecting electronic components and experiments, allowing data collection and control of the intricate setups in her research.
The science behind the experiments
Hilary’s Boost Fund project focused on developing a device for applying uniaxial pressure to crystals under extreme conditions—ultra-low temperatures and high magnetic fields. This innovative device opens up new experimental possibilities to explore the electronic, magnetic, and mechanical properties of quantum materials. By adjusting the pressure on a crystal, Hilary can manipulate the atomic spacing and reveal how pressure affects the behavior of its electrons. Much like how water turns to ice with a temperature change, certain materials fundamentally change their properties when pressure is applied. Her project pushes the boundaries of current experimental techniques, striving to build a device smaller and more precise than ever before.
The art of precision
Hilary’s work requires meticulous sample preparation, especially with brittle metallic oxides. From hand-polishing crystals to precisely cutting them to size, she has refined the process over time—what once took weeks now takes days. Her ability to adjust to the material’s quirks is key to her success.
Tips for early-career researchers on experiments and lab work
Embrace the learning process:
Whether mastering complex instruments or troubleshooting samples, flexibility and patience are essential. Not every experiment will go smoothly, but each offers a learning opportunity.
Don’t be afraid to get hands-on:
Even with advanced automation tools, some tasks benefit from manual handling. By directly engaging with experiments, you gain insights that are otherwise lost.
Make your lab space yours:
Hilary’s team makes the lab more human with fun traditions like naming instruments. Building this kind of personal connection can help foster a more enjoyable and collaborative working environment.
Hilary’s story is a great reminder that while physics requires precision, there’s also room for creativity, community, and fun.
The KT Boost Fund is a joint program of GSO and the Klaus Tschira Foundation for postdoctoral researchers in the Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science. It offers flexible funding for risky and interdisciplinary research on the way to academic independence. Funding can be used to hire staff, buy equipment, or build collaborations – tailored to the research project.
