Dan Porter Email & Phone Number

Oxford, Gb

Harwell, England, United Kingdom

I have joined the data analysis group at Diamond Light Source to support and develop the data analysis needs of the Magnetic Materials Beamlines.

Didcot

Dan is a beamline scientist working on the Materials and Magnetism beamline, I16 at Diamond Light Source. This beamline specialises in measurements of very weak scattering phenomena such as magnetic x-ray diffraction and resonant x-ray scattering. Dan works with users from all over the world who bring novel materials for experiments at the beamline, examples include magnetic materials for future spintronic devices or battery materials for the energy storage devices of tomorrow. Dan provides training, support and technical advice to synchrotron users as well as managing technical projects to increase the beamline's world leading capabilities, and this is at the same time as conducting a research program on battery materials, supervising students and collaborating with other scientists and publishing high-impact research articles.

I16, Materials And Magnetism Beamline

Working on the Materials and Magnetism beamline, I16 on resonant x-ray scattering from magnetic materials. I also act as local contact for external users on the beamline and assist in the development of the instrument and techniques.I also act as secretary for peer review panels where beam time proposals are discussed and reviewed and recently I have been appointed co-chair of the Diamond PDRA committee, helping to organise events, seminars and training for fellow postdocs and early career scientists at Diamond.

United Kingdom

I worked in the correlated electrons group in the Physics department, studying the fundamental properties of technologically important materials.My research interests involved materials such as the thermoelectric material sodium cobaltate, spin ice materials and iron based superconductors. I use a number of techniques to perform experiments on these materials, such as x-ray diffraction and physical properties measurements however I also perform experiments at large facilities such as the Diamond synchrotron and ISIS neutron source.

Physics Department

My thesis was based around the investigation of thermoelectric materials using x-ray and neutron diffraction techniques. I developed a new computer program that can use diffraction data to solve complicated atomic structures and used this program to solve the structures of new thermoelectric materials. I also used resonant x-ray diffraction and polarised neutrons to study the electronic and magnetic ordering, allowing me to better understand the complex relationship of physical properties required to advance the thermoelectric effect.

I spent a summer working as a stagier at the Institut Laue Langevin, working with scientists and technicians at this reactor source for neutron scattering. I learned programming and technical design skills in my project to develop an accurate succeptometer. I also developed my interest in magnetic materials and neutron scattering.

Phd, Condensed Matter Physics

Activities and Societies: Fencing RHUL Fencing club: I fenced for the men's 1st team for 4 years and in my 4th year was treasurer.

Mphys (1St), Phsics

Activities and Societies: Physoc,LUFC,LUOTC Additional Activities: Physoc - Departmental Physics Society where I was President in my.