Optical Metrology of Advanced Materials

计量学涉及到物理尺寸参数的精确测量。通常，这可以在很大范围的长度标尺上进行，包括用于制造的部件。在先进材料的研究方面，特别是其相关的微结构方面，这涉及到测量二维和三维特征的能力，通常精确到纳米级。目前的应用是用于共聚焦激光扫描显微镜(LSM)，以允许对广泛的先进材料进行表征。LSM计量系统提供了多种成像模式，还可以量化观察到的微结构的尺寸参数，分辨率可达~10 nm。所需的基础设施将支持达尔豪西大学工程和科学学院以及阿卡迪亚大学理学院与先进材料各方面有关的各种研究方案。这些包括：(1)材料的研磨和表面精加工[Bauer(Dalhousie)]，(2)低维材料的研究[Bennett(Acadia)]，(3)先进材料的磨损和腐蚀评价[Bishop，Farhat和Plucknett(All Dalhousie)]，(3)颗粒材料加工[Bishop，Farhat，Plucknett]，(4)锂离子电池的开发和表征[Dahn(Dalhousie)]，(V)聚合物复合材料/纳米复合材料的加工和表征[Taheri(Dalhousie)]，(Vi)材料设计的结构-性能关系[White(Dalhousie)]，和(V)玻璃中的晶体生长和反玻璃化[Zwanziger(Dalhousie)]。拟议的设备对申请者的研究至关重要，并大大扩展了先进材料表征方面的现有能力。受益于这一设施的研究方案的多样性是相当大的，从基础科学到以工业为导向的应用工程应用。此外，通过促进主要申请者、他们的同事和他们的总部之间的跨学科互动，可以预期显著的长期好处。对设备的需求是迫在眉睫的，对概述的研究方案的成功至关重要，最终将支持十个单独的研究小组(包括多个研究教席(CRC和NSERC IRC))每年50多名总部质检人员的工作。

The science of metrology relates to the accurate measurement of physical dimensional parameters. Typically, this may be conducted over a wide range of length scales, including for manufactured components. In terms of research on advanced materials, and in particular their associated microstructures, this involves the ability to measure features in both two- and three-dimensions, often down to the nm level. The present application is for a confocal laser scanning microscope (LSM) to allow the characterisation of a broad range of advanced materials. The LSM metrology system offers a variety of imaging modes, and also allows quantification of dimensional parameters of the observed microstructures, down to ~10 nm resolution. The requested infrastructure will be supporting a diverse range of research programmes relating to various aspects of advanced materials, in both the Faculties of Engineering and Science at Dalhousie University, and the Faculty of Science at Acadia University. These include: (i) grinding and surface finishing of materials [Bauer (Dalhousie)], (ii) investigation of low-dimensional materials [Bennett (Acadia)], (iii) wear and corrosion evaluation of advanced materials [Bishop, Farhat and Plucknett (all Dalhousie)], (iii) particulate materials processing [Bishop, Farhat, Plucknett], (iv) Li-ion battery development and characterisation [Dahn (Dalhousie)], (v) processing and characterisation of polymer composites/nanocomposites [Taheri (Dalhousie)], (vi) Structure-property relationships for materials design [White (Dalhousie)], and (v) crystal growth and devitrification in glass [Zwanziger (Dalhousie)]. The proposed equipment is critical to the research of the applicants, and significantly expands upon current capabilities in terms of advanced materials characterisation. The diversity of research programmes that will benefit from this facility is considerable, ranging from basic science to applied, industrially oriented engineering applications. Furthermore, significant long term benefits can be expected through facilitating cross-disciplinary interaction between the primary applicants, their colleagues, and their HQP. The need for the equipment is immediate, vital to the success of the outlined research programmes, and will ultimately support the work of more than 50 HQP per annum, across ten individual research groups (including mutiple research chairs (CRCs and NSERC IRCs).