Welcome to the homepage for the X-Ray Diffraction SEF

What's Happening in the Lab

All Instruments Are Working

The Rigaku Powder Diffractometer, PANaltyical X'Pert Pro MPD, Bruker D8 with GADDS, and Bruker HRXRD instruments are all running and available for use.

Bruker D8 with GADDS will be unavailable the week of July 14

During July 14-19, the final upgrades will be installed on the Bruker D8 with GADDS. The instrument will be unavailable during this time. In the weeks following the upgrade, I will be offering classes to teach users how to use this instrument for: X-ray reflectivity, HRXRD of epitaxial thin films, pole figure ampping of epitaxial and textured thin films, etc. T

Training Classes for July

Here is the tentative schedule for training during the month of July in the X-ray lab. Several more classes will be added in the near future. If you there is a class that you are interested in that is not listed below, please contact me and I will add it to the schedule. Please go to the training webpage for additional description of each training module.

July 2, 1:30 pm to 4 pm: Collecting High-Resolution XRD for Epitaxial Thin Films

July 3, 1 pm to 4:30 pm: Introduction to Data Analysis with Jade

July 8, 2 pm to 4:30 pm: Nanocrystallite Size Analysis using Jade (prerequisite: Introduction to Jade)

July 9, 1 pm to 2 pm: Lab Specific Safety Training
July 9, 2 pm to 4 pm: Introduction to the PANalytical X'Pert Pro MPD
July 9, 4 pm to 5 pm: Data Collection using the High-Speed Optics on the PANalytical X'Pert Pro MPD

July 24, 9:30 am to 10:30 am: EHS X-Ray Safety Course

If you need data before the next training session, please contact me and we will make arrangements.

Classes for data analysis using Jade are being offered once a week. Click here for more details.

New High-Resolution X-Ray Diffractometer

If you have tried getting a hold of me lately, you will notice that my response time has not been very fast. That is because I have been busy installing and getting trained on the new HRXRD instrument in the lab-- a process that has not gone smoothly. This instrument is a very high resolution diffractometer designed for the study of multilayer epitaxial thin films. This instrument has a Ge(440) 4-bounce symmetric incident-beam monochromator with a divergence between 5 and 7 arcseconds. It also features automated swiching between the double-axis mode and the triple-axis mode using a Ge(220) 3-bounce analyzer crystal.

A couple weeks after this instrument is delivered and installed, we will be receiving upgrades for our current Bruker D8 diffractometer. These upgrades include the Vantec2000 2-dimensional detector, which features better dynamic range, resolution, and radiation hardness compared to our old Hi-Star GADDS detector-- making this instrument much better for studying films on single crystal substrates. We will also be receiving a new 1-dimensional position sensitive detector for better resolution data collection, and an Ge(220) 4-bounce asymmetric incident-beam monochromator. This will allow this instrument to collect 2-dimensional images and microdiffraction data from a wide variety of samples; or to be used in the study of simpler epitaxial thin films.

IAP Materials

Powerpoints slides from lectures presented during the 2008 IAP have been posted on this website- click here.

Glass Sample Holders for the Rigaku Powder Diffractometer

A new shipment of glass sample holders, with a 0.3mm well designed for holding powders during XRD, have arrived. They are available for purchase at $11 per piece. Please see Scott Speakman if you are interested.

Our Collaboration with the MIT Dept. of Chemistry

The CMSE single crystal diffractometer is located in Dr. Peter Müller's lab in Bldg 2-325. This collaboration between the CMSE and the Dept. of Chemistry will provide better support for our users interested in single crystal diffraction. CMSE users will pay Peter Müller and the Dept. of Chemistry for use of the instrument; however, they will enjoy the same discounted rate as members of the Dept. of Chemistry and will be able to leverage the expertise of Dr. Müller.

The X-Ray Lab is Open from 9 am to 5 pm on normal business days.