MRI: Acquisition of a multifunctional x-ray diffractometer (XRD) for research (materials and geology) and education

这笔重大研究仪器(MRI)赠款将支持购买多功能X射线衍射仪，加强加州州立大学圣贝纳迪诺分校(CSUSB)的研究和学生培训。这一系统将被广泛应用于多个学科。在物理和化学方面，它将有助于开发新的技术材料，包括新的磁性和铁电系统。在地质学方面，它将成为学生和教师研究的重要工具，主要用于识别和表征岩石和矿物。使用该仪器开展的工作将大大加强CSUSB的研究基础设施，特别是通过进一步获得适用于各种样品类型(例如薄膜、粉末、聚合物)的许多实验技术(例如粉末和薄膜衍射、反射仪)。CSUSB是一所以本科生为重点的大学，也是一所合格的拉美裔和少数族裔服务机构；因此，收购这一工具将扩大人口统计数据不足的学生参与最先进研究的范围，并对STEM领域日益多样化产生长期影响。此外，提供先进的X射线衍射系统的能力将支持与许多机构的当地合作发展，包括社区学院、其他四年制大学和当地产业。其中许多教育机构和行业还服务于在物理科学中代表性不足的少数群体，这加剧了这一仪器在当地发展多样化的STEM管道方面的影响。衍射仪将用于各种X射线散射技术。该仪器的一些主要特点包括精确的样品定位平台和欧拉支架，使粉末、薄膜和掠入射衍射和反射术的性能得以实现。GE单色仪和像素面积探测器将允许高分辨率扫描和快速收集相互作用的空间图，多位置自动样品室将允许快速和自动收集粉末衍射图案。这些快速数据收集和多样本分析的能力将显著提高团队的研究生产率，为更多项目和机器的更广泛影响留出时间。该衍射仪将提高CSUSB的NSF-CREST资助的先进功能材料中心(CAFM)的研究产出。工作的重点将包括：利用外延应变和多层几何结构将新的铁电和磁性设计成单晶氧化物薄膜；通过制备薄膜和新型聚合物复合材料来优化有机铁电材料；以及在野外和地质学的实验室研究中识别和表征岩石和矿物。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant will support the acquisition of a multifunctional x-ray diffractometer, enhancing research and student training at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). This system will be used across a broad range of disciplines. In physics and chemistry, it will contribute to research on the development of new technological materials, including novel magnetic and ferroelectric systems. In geology, it will be an important tool in student and faculty research, primarily for the identification and characterization of rocks and minerals. Work performed using this instrument will significantly enhance the research infrastructure at CSUSB, particularly by furthering access to many experimental techniques (e.g. powder and thin film diffraction, reflectometry) applicable to a wide range of sample types (e.g. thin films, powders, polymers). CSUSB is an undergraduate-focused university and a qualifying Hispanic- and Minority-Serving Institution; thus, acquisition of this instrument will broaden participation of students from underrepresented demographics in state-of-the-art research, with a long-term impact of increasing diversity in STEM fields. Additionally, the ability to provide access to an advanced x-ray diffraction system will support the development of local collaborations with many institutions, including community colleges, other four-year universities, and local industries. Many of these education institutions and industries also serve minority populations that are underrepresented in the physical sciences, compounding the impact of this instrumentation in the development of a diverse STEM pipeline in the local area.The diffractometer will be utilized for a variety of x-ray scattering techniques. Some of the major features of the instrument include a precision sample positioning stage and Eulerian cradle, enabling the performance of powder, thin film, and grazing incidence diffraction and reflectometry. A Ge monochromator and pixel area detector will allow for high-resolution scanning and rapid collection of reciprocal space maps, and a multi-position automatic sample chamber will permit the rapid and automatic collection of powder diffraction patterns. These capabilities for rapid data collection and multi-sample analysis will significantly augment the team's research productivity, allowing time for more projects and broader impact of the machine. The diffractometer will enhance research output at CSUSB's NSF-CREST funded Center for Advanced Functional Materials (CAFM). The focus of the work will include: engineering novel ferroelectric and magnetic properties into single-crystal oxide thin films using epitaxial strain and multilayer geometry; optimizing organic ferroelectrics through preparation as thin films and novel polymer composites; and the identification and characterization of rocks and minerals in field and laboratory studies in geology.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.