Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

This x-ray diffractometer will support diverse research programs at the University of Victoria in epitaxial film growth, semiconductor crystal growth and polymer nano-composite materials. The x-ray diffractometer will be used for (1) analyzing the composition and structure of epitaxial thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy on single crystal substrates, (2) orienting bulk single crystals along certain crystallographic directions for subsequent cutting and polishing, and (3) for structural analysis of self-assembled polymers and nanoparticle/polymer composites. The epitaxial film growth application requires high x-ray resolution available with the help of an x-ray monochromator consisting of specially cut single crystals of Ge. Individual x-ray elements can be readily added or removed without re-alignment, enabling fast and easy conversion of the instrument from one type of measurement to another. The bulk crystals and epitaxial films have applications in a variety of areas including energy conversion, biomedical devices, security, infrared imaging and terahertz light sources. In order to obtain the measurement capability that we need with the limited budget available we plan to purchase a used x-ray generator and diffractometer, and purchase additional components from the manufacturer (new) to achieve the capability that we require.