HOWARD2	Search for Exotic Superconductivity in Few Layer MoS2
Type	Experimental
#students	1
Orientation	Why is the scientific problem of interest at all? A major aim in field of condensed matter physics is to understand the phenomena of superconductivity and thereby harness it for applications such as ultrahigh magnetic fields and ultra-efficient circuitry. Driving this work is the discovery and investigation of new superconductors.
How	How is the research going to shed light on the given problem? Recently a high profile paper [1] reported superconductivity could be induced in few layer films of the semiconductor MoS2 by adding charge carriers (doping) via an electronic device, the superconducting mechanism is now under intense debate. In this project, we will fabricate heavily doped few layer MoS2 by the addition of metal dopants – negating the necessity of an electronic device. This sample will permit bulk measurements to understand the properties of this material and thereby shed light on its superconducting mechanism.
What	What is the specific thing that the student will do? The student will learn how to fabricate and characterise few layer MoS2, then develop methods to dope it. The student will then investigate the properties of this material using Xray diffraction (structure), Raman Scattering (phonons, electron-phonon interactions) and Magnetometry (Superconductivity)
Special Knowledge
Supervisor	Dr Chris Howard c.howard@ucl.ac.uk
References (optional)	[1] Superconducting Dome in a Gate-Tuned Band Insulator Science (2012), 338, 1193