Development of a High Resolution X-Ray Analyzer for Transition Metal Oxide Research and Education
 

 

Investigators:  Trevor A. Tyson,  New Jersey Institute of Technology (tyson@adm.njit.edu, tel:  973-642-4681)

                       Wolfgang Caliebe, National Synchrotron Light Source, BNL


                       Chi-Chang Kao, National Synchrotron Light Source, BNL (kao@bnl.gov, tel: 631-344-4494)

 

Funding Source:  National Science Foundation, Major Research Instrumentation/Instrumentation for Materials Research Grant DMR 0216858           
 

                   
Contacts for Access:  Trevor A. Tyson, New Jersey Institute of Technology (tyson@adm.njit.edu, tel:  973-642-4681)

                                Chi-Chang Kao, National Synchrotron Light Source, BNL (kao@bnl.gov, tel: 631-344-4494)    

 

Abstract

High-resolution x-ray emission spectroscopy based at electron storage rings at national laboratories has developed into a powerful tool to examine the chemistry of metal atoms. This tool can be applied to study the valence of metal sites in protein molecules in order to understand their function. In addition, this approach can be used to study light atom such as carbon without the need for a high vacuum system. However, its use has been limited to specialists because of the lack of dedicated systems. With this award from the Instrumentation for Materials Research program and the Major Research Instrumentation program scientists at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) will develop a high resolution x-ray analyzer which will be stationed at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) in Brookhaven National Laboratory. Stationing the system at the NSLS will make the system available to a broad range of users in fields as diverse of chemistry, biology, geology and physics. At all levels of the construction and research conducted with this analyzer graduate students will be involved. The proposed instrument will have a broad impact through the education of graduate and undergraduate students based on its use in laboratory courses. In addition, the instrument will be utilized as a chemical analysis tool in a transition metal oxide preparation and characterization workshop for Newark area high school students conducted at the NJIT. This will serve to develop scientific literacy and to directly influence students from underrepresented groups to pursue careers in science.



     

                  










 

Summer 2003 Full System Test of the High Resolution X-Ray Spectrometer at X21A (NSLS)

 

 

 

 

 

Fig. 1.   First Mn Kb spectrum collected with new spectrometer.

 

 

 

2(a)

 

2(b)

 

Fig. 2.   Spectrometer with He bag in place (temporary- to be replaced by a sealed Al enclosure).  2(a) gives a full view while 2(b) shows the sample

and ion chamber used to measure I0.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig. 3.   Full picture of spectrometer.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Fig. 4.  View of the 9-analyzer array. Each mirror is capable of sweeping from -7 to +7 degrees in 2.5 x 106 steps

(micro radian accuracy) in both the horizontal (theta) and vertical planes (chi).  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig. 5.  Measurement of the Mn Kb spectrum of MnF2 with a 2 sec/point sampling rate.  The upper curve on the left is the

expanded higher energy spectrum.

 

 

 

 

    

Fig. 6.  Carbon K-Edge x-ray absorption measured with the spectrometer    This system can measure the absorption edges of light

atoms  with bulk sensitivity as an x-ray Raman signal.  The energy resolution is currently  ~0.5 eV.  This can be significantly improved

 with the construction of better x-ray mirrors.