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News in the X-ray Lab- click on the link to read the item
Current Equipment and Lab Status
Training and Workshops for November 2009 through January 2010

Current Lab Status

The Rigaku Diffractometer is broken again.

The repair that I attempted on the Rigaku did not last. I have ordered a replacement part, but it will take some time for the part to arrive and for me to be able to install it. This means that the Rigaku will not be available until sometime next week, contingent on the arrival of the part.

Remember-- and this is very important-- users previously trained on the Rigaku must get training to operate the new generator before you can reserve and use the instrument. I do not currently have any re-training courses scheduled; contact me if you need to learn how to use the new generator and we will schedule an appointment.

Only the 185mm goniometer is available on the new instrument.

The PANalytical X'Pert Pro is working and available for use.

The PANalytical has been very heavily subscribed due in large part to the extended downtime of the Rigaku. In order to help more users get time on the PANalytical, I have changed the scheduling parameters. The maximum time for a single session during peak hours (9am to 5pm) has been reduced to 2 hours (from 3 hours). You may still reserve back-to-back sessions for a total of 4 hours during peak hours. You are still restricted to reserving 2 sessions per day and 6 sessions per week. An off-peak session may still be up to 16 hours.

The broken part for the PANalytical furnace has been repaired and returned. The furnace is available for use.

The Bruker HRXRD is broken. The chiller broke this morning. It appears that the compressor needs to be recharged. I am trying to get someone in to repair it this week.

The Bruker D8 with GADDS splits its time between two configurations, HRXRD and Area Detector, which are installed in a week-on/week-off schedule. I can change the configuration for you if the situation is desperate, but otherwise you should plan your use of this instrument around this schedule:

The schedule is a little irregular over the next few weeks do to use by classes, holidays, etc. The schedule will be:
GADDS mode Friday, Nov 6, until 11:30 am on Tuesday, Nov 10.
HRXRD mode noon on Tuesday, Nov 10, until 4 pm on Thursday, Nov 12.
GADDS mode 5 pm on Thursday, Nov 12, until 1 pm on Thurs, Nov 18.
HRXRD mode 1pm on Thurs, Nov 19, until Nov 30.

This schedule could change if I get Bruker service in here to work on the instrument.

Please remember that we do not back up data in the X-ray lab. You should always back up your data after it is collected.
The two computers running the Rigaku were replaced last January (2009). You can find your old data files in the folder "c:\temp\recovered from old computers". Old files from the left and right-hand side computers are on both of the new computers, in folders labeled 'temp from old LHS' and 'temp for old RHS'.

Training Classes for November

Here is the schedule for upcoming training classes using equipment in the X-ray Diffraction SEF. Please go to the training webpage for more complete descriptions of the classes. Prior to attending a class, you must RSVP and send me the completed Training Request form.

Basics of XRD lecture

• Dec 8 from 1 to 4 pm in 13-4041

Lab Specific Safety Training (mandatory for all new self-users)

• Nov 19 from 2 to 3 pm in 13-4041
• Dec 8 from 4 to 5 pm in 13-4041

EHS X-Ray Safety Analytical/Industrial (mandatory for all new self-users, taught by EHS- sign up through SAPweb self-service)

• Nov 12 from 10:30 to 11:30 am in N52-496A
• Dec 11 from 2 to 3 pm in N52-496A

Data Collection using the Rigaku Diffractometer

• not scheduled at this time

Data Collection using the PANalytical X'Pert Pro in High-Speed Data Collection Mode

• Dec 10 from 1 to 4:30 pm in 13-4027

Basic XRPD Data Analysis using Jade: this workshop is offered several times each month

• Nov 12 from 1 to 4 pm in 13-4041
• Nov 18 from 1 to 4 pm in 13-4041

Data Collection using the Bruker D8 with GADDS in GADDS mode for microdiffraction, polefigure texture analysis, etc

• Nov 17 from 1:30 to 5 pm in 13-4027

Rocking Curve Analysis of Epitaxial Thin Films using the Bruker High Resolution Diffractometer

• Nov 20 from 10 am until 4 pm in 13-4027
  • Data Collection will be covered from 10 am until 12:30 pm. We will break for lunch, then cover data analysis beginning at 1:30 pm. This timing is approximate- this is my first time running the class this way, so I am not sure how it will work exactly.

X-Ray Reflecitivity Analysis of Thin Film using the Bruker High Resolution Diffractometer

• Nov 23 from 10 am until 3 pm in 13-4027
  • Data Collection will be covered from 10 am until 12:30 pm. We will break for lunch, then cover data analysis beginning at 1:30 pm. This timing is approximate- this is my first time running the class this way, so I am not sure how it will work exactly.

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

Other classes or repeat sessions of these classes can be offered if you email me and let me know your interest.

New High-Resolution X-Ray Diffractometer

The new HRXRD instrument is installed and available for use. 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.

The Bruker D8 is also being upgraded. The new Vantec2000 2-dimensional detector has already been installed. This detector 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.

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.