Hendrik Heimes

Hendrik graduated from Ruhr-University Bochum with a Master of Science (MSc.) degree in crystallography in 2022. He learned various techniques to characterise crystalline materials and correlate their structural and physical properties. Key techniques included resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) to determine the elastic properties of single crystals, inductive gauge dilatometry (DIL) to measure the thermal expansion, and single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) to determine crystal structures.

In 2022 Hendrik started his PhD studies in the Advanced Materials Group at the Australian National University under the supervision of Prof Jodie Bradby.  He is researching phase transitions in elemental carbon under high-pressure conditions with the ultimate goal of producing new, exotic carbon phases. Within his PhD project, Hendrik aims to investigate the influence of changing experimental conditions on phase transitions in carbon such as the application of a high shear load, in-situ ion irradiation and the structural influence of various precursors. The main technique to apply high-pressure conditions is the use of diamond anvil cells (DAC). In-situ Raman spectroscopy is used to quantify the pressure conditions within the DAC and analyse the sample's vibrational properties.