Acquisition of an X-Ray Diffractometer for Nanoscale Materials Research and Education

这笔赠款用于购买最先进的多用途X射线衍射仪系统。该仪器将安装在材料研究和分析中心(CMRA)的X射线材料表征设施中。它将提供新的基本能力，极大地提高研究生产率。新仪器将满足研究人员的需求，他们需要定性和定量的物相分析、晶体结构分析、应力测量、空气、真空或惰性气体中的静态和动态高、低温研究，以及包括反射率和掠入射衍射在内的薄膜表征。软件将允许更高级的数据采集和分析。所要求的仪器的特点包括：(1)旋转阳极高强度X射线源；(2)高精度自动对准测角仪；(3)用于精确安装样品的样品台；(4)多用途光学系统，包括可变和固定狭缝，可方便地从近焦转换为各种平行束配置；(5)高温室和低温室；(6)位置灵敏探测器，可大幅减少数据采集时间；(7)现代分析软件包；以及(7)便于进出的辐射外壳。CMRA是一个多学科的研究中心，在7个系拥有60多名教职员工。目前正在开展的主要合作举措是：美国国家科学基金会磁力安全委员会：纳米磁性结构中的量子和自旋现象(QSPINS)、W.M.Keck介观自旋和量子信息系统中心，以及ONR纳米倡议：纳米尺度磁电子结构和器件。这三个项目涉及27名教职员工，总资金超过1000万美元。X射线材料表征设施是CMRA的七个研究设施之一，可供NU所有教职员工以及内布拉斯加州和其他地方的公司使用。一名全职材料研究专家负责维护设备、培训和协助用户进行安全、分析技术以及数据解释和演示。X射线衍射仪系统将极大地加强整个大学的材料研究和教育，特别是改善上述团体补助金中涉及的许多纳米材料的结构特征。该提案的主要研究人员所代表的学科包括材料科学、物理、化学、化学工程和机械工程。

This grant is for the acquisition of a state-of-the-art multi-purpose X-Ray diffractometer system. The instrument will be located in the Center for Materials Research and Analysis (CMRA) X-Ray Materials Characterization Facility. It will provide new, essential capabilities, dramatically increasing research productivity. The new instrument will meet the needs of researchers who require qualitative and quantitative phase analysis, crystal structure analysis, stress measurement, static and dynamic high- and low-temperature studies in air, vacuum or inert gas, and thin-film characterization including reflectivity and grazing-incidence diffraction. Software will allow more advanced acquisition and analysis of data. Features of the requested instrument include: (1) Rotating anode high-intensity X-Ray source; (2) High- precision goniometer with automatic alignment; (3) Sample stage for precise mounting of samples; (4) Multi-purpose optical system including variable and fixed slits with easy conversion from parafocusing to various parallel beam configurations; (5) High- and low-temperature chambers; (6) Position sensitive detector to significantly reduce data collection time; (7) Modern analytical software package; and (7) Radiation enclosure with convenient access. The CMRA is a multidisciplinary research center with over 60 faculty members in 7 departments. Major collaborative initiatives under way are the NSF MRSEC: Quantum and Spin Phenomena in Nanomagnetic Structures (QSPINS), the W.M. Keck Center for Mesospin and Quantum Information Systems, and an ONR Nano-Initiative: Nanoscale Magnetoelectronic Structures and Devices. These three programs involve 27 faculty members and the total funding over $10 million. The X-Ray Materials Characterization Facility is one of seven CMRA research facilities available to all NU faculty as well as companies in Nebraska and elsewhere. A full-time Materials Research Specialist maintains equipment, trains and assists users in safety, analysis techniques and data interpretation and presentation. The X-Ray diffractometer system will greatly enhance materials research and education throughout the university and especially improve the structural characterization of many of the nanoscale materials involved in the above-mentioned group grants. The disciplines represented by the principal investigators of this proposal include materials science, physics, chemistry, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering.