AM Milinda Abeykoon
Physicist, PDF Beamline Lead Scientist, Hard X-ray Scattering & Spectroscopy Program, National Synchrotron Light Source II
Brookhaven National Laboratory
National Synchrotron Light Source II
Bldg. 741
P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000
(631) 344-2663
aabeykoon@bnl.gov
Milinda joined the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in 2013. After earning his Ph.D. in 2007, he completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Texas Center for Superconductivity at the University of Houston. In 2009, he joined BNL’s Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science Department (CMPMSD), where he conducted research on structure-property relationships in strongly correlated materials.
During his tenure at CMPMSD, Milinda developed advanced protocols for extracting Pair Distribution Functions (PDFs) from electron diffraction data, leveraging the capabilities of the Center for Nanomaterials at BNL. Upon joining NSLS-II, he led the design, construction, and commissioning of the state-of-the-art PDF beamline, establishing a premier facility for probing structural modulations in materials using high-energy X-ray scattering techniques.
Milinda currently leads the science user programs at the NSLS-II PDF beamline, advancing innovative research in quantum materials, correlated electron systems, and AI/ML-driven data methodologies.
Expertise | Research | Education | Appointments | Publications | Highlights
Expertise
Pair Distribution Function, Total Scattering, Powder Diffraction, Strongly Correlated Systems, Quantum Materials.
Research Activities
Milinda's research focuses on the interplay between magnetic fields and the structural and electronic properties of strongly correlated oxide systems and quantum materials. These materials, with their complex electronic interactions and emergent properties, offer a rich platform for discovering new phenomena under external perturbations such as magnetic fields.
His research interests and expertise include:
- Magneto-Structural Coupling in Quantum Materials: Investigating how magnetic-field-induced structural dynamics drive phase transitions and modify correlated properties in superconductors and topological insulators.
- Emergent Functionalities: Exploring novel properties such as magnetoelectric coupling, enhanced magnetocaloric effects, and tunable electronic behavior resulting from field-induced structural changes.
- Advanced Experimental Techniques: Developing and applying synchrotron-based X-ray scattering methods—including Atomic Pair Distribution Function (PDF), Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS), and Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS)—to probe atomic- and nanoscale structural and magnetic correlations.
- Python for Data Analysis: Creating Python-based workflows for diffraction data reduction, statistical analysis, and visualization.
- Modeling and Theoretical Insights: Developing models to interpret experimental findings and predict material behavior under varying magnetic fields and temperatures.
Education
Ph.D. in Physics - University of Houston, USA
M.Sc. in Physics - University of Houston, USA
B.Sc (Hons) in Physics - University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Professional Appointments
2018 - Present Physicist/Lead Scientist, PDF (28-ID-1) beamline, NSLS-II
2013 - 2015 Associate Physicist, Photon Science Directorate, Brookhaven National Laboratory
2009 - 2013 Postdoctoral Fellow, Condense Matter Physics and Materials Science Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory/Columbia University
2007 - 2009 Postdoctoral Fellow, Texas Center for Superconductivity, University of Houston
Selected Publications
- Abeykoon M, Dooryhee E, Drakopoulos M, Ghose S, Zhong Z (2020) Characterizing Hidden Structures at NSLS-II: Strongly Correlated Electron Systems, Functional Ceramics, Batteries, and Beyond. Synchrotron Radiation News 33:17–23. doi: 10.1080/08940886.2020.1841492
- Straus DB, Guo S, Abeykoon AM, Cava RJ (2020) Understanding the Instability of the Halide Perovskite CsPbI 3 through Temperature-Dependent Structural Analysis. Advanced Materials 32:2001069. doi: 10.1002/adma.202001069
- Mazzone DG, Dzero M, Abeykoon AMM, et al (2020) Kondo-Induced Giant Isotropic Negative Thermal Expansion. Physical Review Letters 124:. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.124.125701
- Liu Y, Abeykoon M, Petrovic C (2020) Critical behavior and magnetocaloric effect in VI3. Physical Review Research 2:. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevresearch.2.013013
- Abeykoon AMM, Božin ES, Yin W-G, et al (2013) Evidence for Short-Range-Ordered Charge Stripes Far above the Charge-Ordering Transition inLa1.67Sr0.33NiO4. Physical Review Letters 111:. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.111.096404
- Liu Y, Abeykoon M, Stavitski E, Attenkofer K, Petrovic C (2019) Magnetic anisotropy and entropy change in trigonal Cr5Te8. Physical Review B. doi: 10.1103/physrevb.100.245114
- Knox KR, Abeykoon AMM, Zheng H, et al (2013) Local structural evidence for strong electronic correlations in spinel LiRh2O4. Physical Review B 88:. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.88.174114
- Abeykoon AMM, Malliakas CD, Juhás P, et al (2012) Quantitative nanostructure characterization using atomic pair distribution functions obtained from laboratory electron microscopes. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie 227:248–256. https://doi.org/10.1524/zkri.2012.1510
- Abeykoon AMM, Hu H, Wu L, et al (2015) Calibration and data collection protocols for reliable lattice parameter values in electron pair distribution function studies. Journal of Applied Crystallography 48:244–251. https://doi.org/10.1107/s1600576715000412
- Nguyen LT, Abeykoon M, Tao J, et al (2020) Long-range and local crystal structures of the Sr1−xCaxRuO3 perovskites. Physical Review Materials 4:. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevmaterials.4.034407
- Petkov V, Zafar A, Jakhar M, Abeykoon AM (2025) Genesis and atomic structure of the charge density wave phase of
- Zafar A, Petkov V, Abeykoon AMM (2024) Local lattice distortions and electronic phases in perovskite manganite Pr0.5Sr0.5MnO3. Journal of Physics: Materials 7:035007. https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7639/ad5abf
- Zafar A, Abeykoon AMM, Petkov V (2024) Structural mechanism of the magnetic phase transitions in
Research Highlights
Lab Resolves Origin of Perovskite Instability
New Evidence to Aid Search for Charge 'Stripes' in Superconductors
Defects in Magnetic Nanoparticles May Improve Cancer Treatment
Quantum Effect Triggers Unusual Material Expansion
Uncovering Hidden Local States in a Quantum Material
Brookhaven National Laboratory
National Synchrotron Light Source II
Bldg. 741
P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000
(631) 344-2663
aabeykoon@bnl.gov
