Annual progress report of the Department of Solid State Physics 1 January - 31 December 1993

Research in the department is concerned with "Materials with Distinct Physical and Chemical Properties". The principal activities of the department in the period from 1 January, to 31 December, 1993, are presented in this Progress Report. Neutrons and X-ray diffraction techniques are used to study a wide variety of problems in condensed matter physics and include: two- and three-dimensional structures, magnetic ordering, heavy fermions, high Tc superconductivity, phase transitions in model systems, precipitation phenomena, and nano-scale structures in various materials. The research in chemistry includes chemical synthesis and physico-chemical investigations of small molecules and polymers, with emphasis on polymers with new optical properties, block copolymers, surface modified polymers, and supramolecular structures. This report is organized in 13 categories with the following headings:
• Theory, Monte Carlo simulations, and methods of data analysis
• Magnetic structures, magnetic phase transitions, and spin dynamics
• High Tc superconductivity
• Structures and structural phase transitions
• Inclusions and precipitates in alloys and metals
• Interaction of particles and photons with surfaces
• Surfaces, interfaces, and amorphous structures
• Langmuir films
• Polymers
• Molecular science
• Microemulsions and biological systems
• Instrument developments
• Other activities