International Collaboration of UFAZ/ASOIU Researchers Leads to Discovery of New Magnetic Materials for Quantum Technologies

Researchers from the French-Azerbaijani University (UFAZ) have made significant strides in the field of advanced materials science. Dr. Dunya Babanly, research faculty member at UFAZ and ASOIU, together with her doctoral student Fuad Safarov – working in collaboration with the University of Strasbourg (UNISTRA) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), and UFAZ alumna Laman Mahmudova, have successfully synthesized and studied new magnetic materials with promising potential for quantum computing and spintronic applications.

The research team worked on the GeSb₄Te₇–MnSb₄Te₇ system and investigated the magnetic properties of the Mn₀.₅Ge₀.₅Sb₄Te₇ compound. The main driving force behind this study was the intriguing superconducting properties of the GeSb₄Te₇ and MnSb₄Te₇ compounds, as well as the antiferromagnetic nature of MnSb₄Te₇. At the initial stage of the research, a sample containing 50 mol% MnSb₄Te₇ was selected for SQUID magnetometry. These measurements revealed two magnetic transitions at 14.4 K and 3.6 K, corresponding to transitions from paramagnetic to ferrimagnetic and from ferrimagnetic to ferromagnetic states, respectively.

As a result, both the effective and saturation magnetic moments were significantly reduced compared to pure MnSb₄Te₇. This reduction is attributed to magnetic dilution caused by Ge ions and the interlayer antiferromagnetic interactions induced by Mn ions occupying Sb sites.

The preliminary findings of this work were published as the first scientific article of PhD student Fuad Safarov in the peer-reviewed international journal Advanced Physical Research (indexed by Scopus): https://jomardpublishing.com/journals/advanced-physical-research/volumes/10/issues/24

This study opens up new perspectives in quantum materials research, paving the way for systematic exploration of related systems. Several additional manuscripts by the PhD student are currently under review in other reputable international journals.

It is also worth noting that Dr. Dunya Babanly recently conducted a scientific visit to Strasbourg, France (October 13-17), aimed at further strengthening research collaborations with UNISTRA and CNRS.

UFAZ remains committed to advancing the frontiers of materials science through cutting-edge international collaborations. This achievement once again highlights our researchers’ contribution to global scientific innovation.