Forschungszentrum Jülich
Institut für Festkörperforschung
Institute for Solid State Research (IFF)
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Management and Structure Prof. Dr. K. Urban H. Geisler
Institutes: Institute "Theory I" Institute "Theory II" Institute "Theory III" Institute "Scattering Methods" Institute "Neutron Scattering" Institute "Electroceramic Materials" Institute "Soft Matter" Institute "Microstructural Research" Institute "Electronic Properties" Central Facilities: "Networks and Numerics" "Accelerator" "Construction" "Mechanical Workshop" "Administration" 1. The Mission of the Institute for Solid State
Research The Institute for Solid State Research (IFF) pursues
research on condensed materials in the solid or liquid state. Based
on its studies of bulk properties of condensed phases, the IFF is
concerned with inhomogeneous systems and with the consequences of
reduced dimensionality. This refers in particular to the physics
of boundaries, interfaces, thin films, and membranes. With regard
to both theory and experiment, the institute's research can be understood
in terms of three strategically distinct categories: Phenomena oriented research: The search
for, the discovery and explanation of general phenomena and
behaviour in condensed matter systems, including the mathematical
and physical concepts and structures underlying this behaviour. Materials oriented research: The investigation
of specific materials or classes of materials with a view of
gaining an understanding of their special properties and, where
appropriate, exploring their potential for practical application.
Production of novel materials, and preparation as well as characterisation
of well-defined samples. Methods oriented research: Development
of new methods and the improvement of existing methods, both
in the experimental and the theoretical/numerical sectors. The general physical basis for these research
areas is provided by statistical physics and quantum mechanics.
Together they describe on a microscopic scale the behaviour and
the reaction to external influences of electrons, atoms and molecules,
the building blocks whose aggregation and cooperation is responsible
for the formation of condensed phases. The issues to which these
connections give rise in the context of current research form the
basis of the work of theoretical and experimental groups
within the institute. Based on new techniques of preparation and characterization
on a microscopic atomic scale, the experimental groups carry
out research projects to develop devices and tailor materials systems
with new properties. This, in turn, has triggered the theoretical
groups, employing modern techniques, to describe and come to an
understanding of the extremely complex behaviour of these new systems. The following specific foci of work in the IFF
are typical for the mission of a Helmholtz-Research-Centre: Contributions to the construction and operation
of new experimental equipment and instruments for international
sources of neutron and synchrotron radiation. In addition to
the Jülich Research Reactor "DIDO", the neutron
sources at Argonne, Berlin, Gaithersburg, Grenoble, München,
Oak Ridge, Saclay and Appleton are used. Experiments with synchrotron
radiation are carried out at BESSY, DELTA and HASYLAB in Germany,
and internationally at Argonne (APS), Berkeley (ALS), Brookhaven
(NSLS), Grenoble (ESRF), and Trieste (ELETTRA). Use of the Jülich Computer Centre, mainly
for theoretical investigations and large-scale numerical simulations.
Projects that require high levels of investment
and/or the continuity of a highly qualified team of staff (in
most cases in the context of national and international cooperative
projects and services). Examples are the Centre for High-Resolution
Microscopy, the operation of accelerators, the Electroceramics
laboratory, superconductor technology and the development of
sophisticated numerical algorithms and programs.
The research results of the IFF have led to a
broad and internationally recognized status. Special technical and
scientific excellence was achieved in the following areas: application
of synchrotron radiation and neutron scattering, high-resolution
electron-microscopy, electron spectroscopy, high-temperature superconductivity,
magnetoelectronics, the physics of clusters, electron theory, dynamical
features of phase transitions, quasicrystals, colloids, membranes
and polymers. A prerequisite for the focal areas of research
in the IFF mentioned above and its position in the international
community as a partner for cooperation is its strong position in
basic research. The IFF carries out basic research in areas with
potential for the future of condensed matter science, also as a
springboard for applied research projects. Genuine innovation (as distinct from continuous
development) occurs typically as a by-product of curiosity-driven
research. This is exemplified particularly well by the discovery
of the "giant-magnetoresistance" effect, which has become
a very active area in solid state research. The effect has attractive
applications for magnetic sensors, e.g. as read-out heads for data
storage and for control of moving parts. The license revenue from
the patents on this effect represents the largest contribution to
the total patent revenue of the Jülich Research Centre devolving
from a single application! With this activity the IFF is also participating
in the BMBF (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, i.e.
Ministry of Education and Research) project "Magnetoelectronics". 2. Scientific and Technical Infrastructure Research "at the cutting edge" requires
the capability to build and maintain experimental facilities in
high-tech areas. This holds as well for the basic research performed
by the IFF at national and international sources as for its applied
research. Equipment must meet high international standards, and
especially so when the work performed is to be "relevant for
industry". A basic requirement for the work of the Department
is an infrastructure, within the IFF and the Research Centre itself,
which supplies the necessary expertise, effectiveness, and facilities. The group Networks and Numerics maintains
the workstation cluster and computer networks, and supports scientific
staff in the design and performance of experiments. It supplies
expert assistance in hard- and software, maintains the system-software
of the IFF-Workstation-Cluster and trains mathematical-technical
assistants. The Accelerator Group is responsible for
the operation of the Compact-Cyclotron and the Tandetron. Construction and Workshop develop
and build equipment for the IFF, from simple mechanical components
to sophisticated modern technology. The facility works closely together
with the scientists and engineers of the Institute to achieve the
ambitious quality and tolerance goals set by the experimentalists. Staff members in the central facilities: K. v. Ameln, F. Bläsen, H.P. Esser, A. Bremen,
H. Cremer, P. Eickenberg, M. Emmerich, H. Feilbach, U. Funk-Kath,
R. Gehlhaar, R. Heckmann, J. Heinen, D. Henkel, K. Hirtz, R. Hölzle,
T. Jansen, K.H. Johnen, T. Kohnke, S. Krahe, J. Lingenbach, T. Matulewski,
W. Noack, P. Pickartz, M. Pohl, B. Radermacher, H. Sachsenhausen,
L. Schätzler, H. Schnitzler, J. Schnitzler, J. Schramm, P.
Stefelmanns, W. Stellmacher, H. Terberger, R. Thomas, E. Westphal,
K. Wingerath. J. Hengesbach (INC), L. Kasterke (IME), H. Schwalbach
(ISG) 3. Other Scientific Activities: Collaborations
with Universities, Institutions, and Industry The productivity of a Research Institute depends
strongly on its capacity for scientific exchange and for scientific
and technical cooperation. In this regard, the Jülich Research
Center offers excellent possibilities. The Centre’s top class infrastructure
offers efficient assistance, also for visiting scientists. Modern
neutron scattering instrumentation appropriate for cutting-edge
studies are available to a large number of IFF guest scientists
in the DIDO reactor hall and in the neutron guide hall ELLA. The
wide variety of collaborations in which the institutes for Neutron
Scattering and Scattering Methods of the IFF are involved leads
to optimal usage of these large-scale instruments. On the other
hand, the availability of complementary facilities at other institutions
is essential for the IFF. With the construction of instruments the
IFF contributed to the development and improved usage of external
large-scale facilities such as ILL and CEN (Grenoble), APS (Argonne,
USA), DELTA (Dortmund), HASYLAB (Hamburg), BESSY (Berlin), NSLS
(Brookhaven), and NIST (Washington). Bilateral agreements have been concluded with
the Paul-Drude-Institute, Berlin, RWTH Aachen, and the Universities
Bonn, Göttingen and Kiel for the use of the Jülich centre
for high-resolution microscopy for specialized studies in the area
of quantitative and high-resolution microscopy, and the use of the
Jülich microscopes with correction of spherical abberation. In the past years, the IFF has expanded its activities
as a sub-contractor to large companies (e.g. Bosch, Siemens,
Daimler-Benz, Thompson, Philips) and contract work has become the
main focus of the scientific work of several groups, especially
in the context of large national (German) and international projects.
Of special importance is the IFF’s participation in the BMBF-Project
"Magnetoelectronics". Under the auspices of the Technology
Transfer Bureau of the Jülich Research Centre, the IFF leases
equipment to companies that have established themselves in the Jülich
Technology Centre. In addition, the IFF has designed and built pilot
equipment for industrial companies. One of the most important duties of a Research
Centre is to make its large-scale instruments available to universities
and other research organisations for research projects that need
not necessarily have a direct connection with active research programs
of the Centre. In this context it is of paramount importance for
the IFF to keep the 16 neutron scattering instruments at the research
reactor DIDO operating and to improve them further. In the year
2002, neutrons were available for users at 185 days altogether.
During this time 82 experiments were performed by IFF scientists
and 116 experiments by external groups (38 groups from each national
and international universities, 7 groups from national, and 15 from
international research institutes). Many staff members of the IFF serve in scientific
committees (e.g. advisory boards for institutes and scientific societies,
program committees for international meetings, editors of proceedings,
journals, and databases, members or presidents of the boards of
directors of scientific societies) as well as referees, e.g. for
the German funding agencies, special research areas, and prize committees.
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