An in-situ LEIS facility for atomic-scale assembly manufacturing research

我们的日常生活被科技丰富了，没有它的生活是不可想象的。我们有能源基础设施的支持；信息技术;比如现代医疗保健。所有这些都通过涉及表面和界面的先进制造加工的产品对我们产生影响。制造过程包括增材装配、减法去除、热处理和化学工艺。所有这些技术给我们带来了智能手机、电脑、太阳能电池、医疗设备、汽车等等。该项目的目标是开发一种工具，用于在制造过程中或暴露于反应性环境中检查零件的表面。我们将使用低能离子束来了解材料表面和界面的原子结构，同时将它们暴露在模拟的工艺环境中。低能离子散射（LEIS）技术将与一个处理室相结合，该处理室将允许对样品进行处理，然后在不将表面暴露在大气中的情况下间歇性地进行表征。通过处理和表征的重复循环，不断演变的表面结构的“快照”将揭示在加工过程中发生的原子尺度机制。这种方法将改进制造方法，最终生产出更好的未来产品。该项目将设计、采购和实施一个独特的原位LEIS设施，这将通过合作增强EPSRC在英国和国际上现有和未来研究的广泛组合。

Our everyday lives are so enriched by technology, that it is becoming unimaginable to live without it. We are supported by an energy infrastructure; information technology; and modern healthcare for example. All of these impact on us through products which involve advanced manufacturing processing at surfaces and interfaces. Manufacturing involves additive assembly, subtractive removal, heat treatments and chemical processes. All together this technology brings us smart phones, computers, solar cells, medical devices, automobiles and so many more.The goal of this project is to develop at tool for examining the surfaces of parts during manufacturing processes or exposure to reactive environments. We will use beams of low energy ions to inform us about the atomic structure of surfaces and interfaces in materials, in between exposing them to simulated process environments. The technique of Low Energy Ion Scattering (LEIS) will be combined with a processing chamber, which will allow samples to be treated and then intermittently characterised without exposing the surface to atmosphere. Through repeated cycles of treatment and characterisation, 'snap shots' of the evolving surface structure will reveal what atomic scale mechanisms are occurring during processing. This approach will lead to improved manufacturing methods and ultimately to better products of the future. This project will design, procure and implement a unique in-situ LEIS facility, that will enhance a broad portfolio of existing and future EPSRC research across the UK and internationally through collaboration.