Optical Metrology of Advanced Materials

计量科学涉及物理尺寸参数的精确测量。通常，这可以在宽范围的长度尺度上进行，包括用于制造的部件。在先进材料的研究方面，特别是其相关的微观结构，这涉及到测量二维和三维特征的能力，通常低至纳米级。本申请是用于共焦激光扫描显微镜（LSM）以允许表征广泛范围的先进材料。LSM计量系统提供了多种成像模式，并且还允许对观察到的微结构的尺寸参数进行量化，分辨率低至约10 nm。所要求的基础设施将支持达尔豪西大学工程和科学学院以及哥伦比亚大学理学院与先进材料各方面有关的各种研究方案。其中包括：（i）材料的研磨和表面处理[Bauer（达尔豪西）]，（ii）低维材料的研究[班尼特（Bennett）（Bundia）]，（iii）先进材料的磨损和腐蚀评估[Bishop、Farhat和Plucknett（所有达尔豪西）]，（iii）颗粒材料加工[Bishop，Farhat，Plucknett]，（iv）锂离子电池开发和表征[Dahn（达尔豪西）]，（v）聚合物复合材料/纳米复合材料的加工和表征[Taheri（达尔豪西）]，（vi）材料设计的结构-性能关系[白色（达尔豪西）]，和（v）玻璃中的晶体生长和失透[Zwanziger（达尔豪西）]。拟议的设备对申请人的研究至关重要，并在先进材料表征方面显着扩展了当前的能力。将受益于这一设施的研究方案的多样性是相当大的，从基础科学到应用，面向工业的工程应用。此外，通过促进主要申请人、他们的同事和他们的HQP之间的跨学科互动，可以预期显著的长期利益。对设备的需求是直接的，对所概述的研究计划的成功至关重要，并最终支持每年超过50名HQP的工作，跨越10个独立的研究小组（包括多个研究主席（CRC和NSERC IRC））。

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).