Scope
Phase transitions are not only a well known fact of everyday life, but also an important field of current research and of technological applications. Water turns to ice, ferroelectricty and magnetism coexist in multiferroics, data is stored in magnetic bits: these are all but manifestations of phase transitions.
Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) operates facilities producing photons, neutrons, and muons. These are ideally suited for studying phase transitions because they provide information about the position of atoms, the state of electrons and the arrangement of spins.
In this summer school more than 20 world-class experts will introduce the different aspects of phase transitions from an experimental and theoretical point of view.
Following the school a practical training is offered at PSI. It will allow a limited number of participants to get hands-on experience with state-of-the-art instrumentation using photons, neutrons, and muons.
At the end of the school you will not only understand why water turns into ice. You will know how to apply modern methods to the problem of phase transitions and you will have established contacts to the speakers and participants allowing you to utilize the gained knowledge for your own research.
