High-Pressure measurements of Cu2OCl2

Following the recently successful observation, a few years after our theoretical prediction, of room temperature type-II multiferroicity in CuO at high pressure via neutron diffraction on WISH, we would like to study another Cu based system, Cu2OCl2, which we have identified as another candidate RT multiferroic. This work will provide unique insight into the fine balance between interactions controlling the magnetic structure and ultimately the multiferroic properties of promising technological materials. Theoretical predictions of new materials with useful properties, aided by AI and/or quantum computing, is regularly making the news as current/future avenue for chemistry. If we are to fulfil these dreams, it is essential that theory and experiments on complex systems feed each other to provide a detailed understanding of the essential ingredients to tune (and pressure is one of the cleanest handle to use) to achieve interesting materials properties. The experiment we propose here is a step towards establishing such firm ground and we require 4 days to complete the study.