MRI: Acquisition of an X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer for Research and Education

在重大研究仪器计划的这一奖项和材料研究部(DMR)的支持下，南密西西比大学(USM)将获得一台带有集成紫外光电子源(UPS)和Ar气体团簇离子溅射(GCIS)的X射线光电子能谱仪(XPS)。XPS测量样品中化学元素的电子结合能，提供有关材料的化学成分、化学状态和电子性质的信息。这些信息产生了关键信息，以更好地了解给定材料的表面或界面的结构和组成如何产生独特的属性、功能和性能。XPS将被安置在USM的聚合物和高性能学院，并完全整合到密西西比聚合物研究所(MPI)的分析服务中。XPS将立即加强联邦资助和行业支持的项目的研究，涉及USM、杰克逊州立大学(JSU)和密西西比大学医学中心(UMMC)的14个以上研究小组。XPS与MPI分析服务的集成将为当地和地区性行业提供尖端表面表征，包括USM加速器(小型企业孵化器)中的创业初创企业。除了推进USM和地区性大学的研究计划外，通过让研究生、本科生和高中生接触先进的表面敏感仪器，预计还将对教育、培训和推广工作产生重大影响。XPS操作原理将完全融入以软材料为重点的现有教育课程。通过我们的“工作跟踪”计划、高中聚合物科学竞赛以及教师和本科生暑期研究体验(RET)和本科生(REU)计划，向K-12和本科生延伸，将确保下一代STEM学生参与积极主动的计划。总体而言，XPS将成为招聘和留住优秀学生、博士后学者、教师和合作者的宝贵资源，包括那些在STEM领域代表性不足的人。收购的XPS系统非常适合支持广泛的研究主题，从而能够使用X射线和紫外线激发模式进行表面表征，分析各种软材料和硬材料。主要仪器功能包括大面积光谱分析、微区光谱分析、测绘/成像和角度分辨深度剖析。UPS类似于XPS，但较低的光子能量导致只激发低结合能的价电子，从而能够确定被分析材料的功函数。多模Ar气体团簇离子溅射源(GCIS)进一步扩展了仪器的用途，可深度剖析有机、聚合物和生物材料等软材料，这是目前MS地理区域所不具备的独特能力。XPS系统将加强跨多个学科的研究，并推动可持续能源(储存、转化和节约)、有机聚合物光电子学、生物可降解、生物活性和生物传感器材料以及聚合物复合材料和纳米复合材料等先进应用的技术创新。

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation Program and support from the Division of Materials Research (DMR), the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) will acquire an X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (XPS) with an integrated ultraviolet photoelectron source (UPS) and argon gas cluster ion sputtering (GCIS). XPS measures the binding energy of electrons from the chemical elements in the sample providing information on chemical composition, chemical states, and electronic properties of materials. This information yields critical information to better understand how the structure and composition of a surface or interface of a given material gives rise to unique properties, function, and performance. The XPS will be housed in the School of Polymers and High Performance at USM and fully integrated into the Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI) analytical services. XPS will immediately enhance research in federally-funded and industry supported programs involving more than 14 research groups at USM, Jackson State University (JSU), and University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). Integration of XPS with the MPI analytical services will provide access to cutting-edge surface characterization to local and regional industries, including entrepreneurial startups housed in the USM Accelerator (small business incubator). In addition to advancing research initiatives at USM and regional universities, significant impacts are anticipated on education, training, and outreach efforts via exposure of graduate, undergraduate, and high school students to advanced surface-sensitive instrumentation. XPS operating principles will be fully integrated into the existing education curriculum focused on soft materials. Outreach to K-12 and undergraduates via our "Job Shadowing" program, High School Polymer Science Competition, and the summer research experience for teacher (RET) and undergraduates (REU) programs will ensure the next generation of STEM students are engaged with proactive programs. Overall, XPS will serve as a valuable resource for the recruitment and retention of outstanding students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, and collaborators, including those underrepresented in STEM fields. The acquired XPS system is ideally suited to support a broad range of research themes enabling analysis of a variety of soft and hard materials using both x-ray and ultraviolet excitation modes for surface characterization. Key instrument capabilities include large area spectroscopy, micro area spectroscopy, mapping/imaging, and angle-resolved depth profiling. UPS is analogous to XPS, but the lower photon energies result in excitation of only the low binding energy valence electrons enabling the determination of the work function of the material being analyzed. A multi-mode argon gas cluster ion sputtering source (GCIS) further expands the utility of the instrument to depth profile soft materials such as organic, polymeric, and biological materials, a unique capability that is currently unavailable in the MS geographical region. The XPS system will enhance research across multiple disciplines and drive technological innovations for advanced applications in sustainable energy (storage, conversion, and conservation), organic polymer optoelectronics, biodegradable, bioactive and biosensor materials, and polymer composites and nanocomposites.