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High resolution X-ray diffractometer for the structural analysis of thin films, heterostructures and nanoparticles at variable temperatures

English title High resolution X-ray diffractometer for the structural analysis of thin films, heterostructures and nanoparticles at variable temperatures
Applicant Bernhard Christian
Number 139102
Funding scheme R'EQUIP
Research institution Département de Physique Université de Fribourg
Institution of higher education University of Fribourg - FR
Main discipline Condensed Matter Physics
Start/End 01.03.2012 - 28.02.2013
Approved amount 275'000.00
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All Disciplines (4)

Discipline
Condensed Matter Physics
Other disciplines of Earth Sciences
Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry

Keywords (4)

X-ray diffraction; Structural analysis; Thin films; Nanoparticles

Lay Summary (English)

Lead
Lay summary

This proposal is concerned with a high resolution x-ray diffractometer (HRXRD) that is especially designed for the structural analysis of thin films, multilayers, and nanoparticles. The system will be equiped with a cryostat and a furnace that enable measurements at variable temperatures between 25K and 1073K. Specifically, this instrument contains a high intensity micro-focus X-ray source providing a low divergence beam with a small spot size, a precise four-axis goniometer, a “Pilatus” 2D X-ray detector for efficient k-space mapping, and a cryostat and furnace.

This HRXRD setup will form the backbone of the research activities of a multidisciplinary team of five groups in the departments of Physics, Chemistry and Geoscience at the University of Fribourg (UniFr), and at the General Energy Research Department of the Paul-Scherrer-Institut (PSI) in Villigen. Their research topics cover a wide spectrum that ranges from oxide-based thin films and multilayers, over organic thin films, to antimicorbial implant coatings and atmospheric nanoparticles (aerosols). The HRXRD setup enables a detailed structural analysis of these various kinds of nanoscale materials. The HRXRD setup will be operated and supported by experienced scientists and engineers and will be well embedded into the infrastructure of the Fribourg Center for Nanomaterials (FriMat). Upon arrangment, the HRXRD system will also be available to other Swiss groups working on thin films and nanomaterials.
Direct link to Lay Summary Last update: 21.02.2013

Responsible applicant and co-applicants

Collaboration

Group / person Country
Types of collaboration
TEM group / Oak Ridge National Lab United States of America (North America)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Publication
- Research Infrastructure
ANKA Synchrotron KIT Karlsruhe Germany (Europe)
- Research Infrastructure
SLS synchrotron/PSI Switzerland (Europe)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Publication
- Research Infrastructure
- Exchange of personnel
Solid State Physics Group / Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic (Europe)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Research Infrastructure
- Exchange of personnel
Organic materials group/Queen Mary University of London Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Europe)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Research Infrastructure
- Exchange of personnel
Neutronscattering group / Paul Scherrer Institut Switzerland (Europe)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Publication
- Research Infrastructure

Associated projects

Number Title Start Funding scheme
117403 Chemical vapour deposition system for in situ growth and AFM/STM investigation of tailor made composite thin films and devices with new properties 01.07.2007 R'EQUIP
121964 Dehydration kinetics of the serpentine group minerals 01.01.2009 Project funding
113057 Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) system for the growth of thin films, multilayers, and heterostructures from oxides and hydrides 01.08.2006 R'EQUIP
128686 Towards a more bulk sensitive photoemission experiment 01.06.2010 R'EQUIP
134890 Geometrical and electronic structure at and near surfaces 01.04.2011 Project funding
129484 Superconductivity, magnetism and unconventional charge dynamics of high temperature superconductors, oxide thin films and heterostructures 01.04.2010 Project funding
140225 Superconductivity, magnetism and unconventional charge dynamics of high temperature superconductors, oxide thin films and heterostructures 01.04.2012 Project funding
153660 Superconductivity, magnetism and unconventional charge dynamics of high temperature superconductors, oxide thin films and heterostructures 01.04.2014 Project funding
157282 Search for emergent multiferroic orders in the inversion-symmetry-broken tri-color oxide heterostructures 01.09.2014 International short research visits
172611 Superconductivity, magnetism and unconventional charge dynamics of high temperature superconductors, oxide thin films and heterostructures 01.04.2017 Project funding

Abstract

We propose a high resolution x-ray diffractometer (HRXRD) for the structural analysis of thin films, multilayers, and nanoparticles at variable temperatures. Specifically, the instrument contains a high intensity micro-focus X-ray source, a high precision four-axis goniometer with optional cryostat and furnace for the temperature range of 25-1073K, and a 2D detector (Pilatus 100K) for efficient k-space mapping. The HRXRD setup will form the backbone of the research activities of a multidisciplinary team of five groups in the departments of Physics, Chemistry and Geoscience at University of Fribourg and at PSI in Villigen. Four groups are growing thin films and multilayers of complex oxides and organic materials and investigate their physical and chemical properties with dedicated spectroscopic techniques. One group studies the properties of atmospheric nanoparticles (aerosols). The proposed XRD setup with variable temperature capability will be unique in Switzerland. Thus it will be of considerable interest for several other Swiss research groups whose research involves thin films and nanoparticles.
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