Thin film x-ray diffraction
Lead Research Organisation:
University of St Andrews
Department Name: Office of the Principal
Abstract
Thin film materials offer new ways to tune functionality, but require specialist probes. The core equipment of a thin-film x-ray diffractometer (XRD) sought here will underpin a broad range of research into advanced materials. The thin film XRD system will be embedded within the Centre for Designer Quantum Materials, and will provide a new characterization tool to enable a broad spectrum of research including:
a) establishing structure property relations in designer heterostructures and thin films of a wide range of materials, underpinning the materials science, physics, and chemistry of advanced functional materials in single crystal and thin film form;
b) providing crucial underpinning characterization to develop new energy materials, platforms for next generation technologies, new systems for energy harvesting, and materials-based quantum technologies;
c) allowing an integrated approach to the design of new advanced and quantum materials through combined growth, structural and spectroscopic characterization facilities, creating a centre of excellence for designer advanced and quantum materials.
Access to the facility will be provided and managed through the Centre for Designer Quantum Materials, providing a single point of contact for our facilities, and ensuring that its capabilities are available to users from across St Andrews, Scotland, and beyond.
a) establishing structure property relations in designer heterostructures and thin films of a wide range of materials, underpinning the materials science, physics, and chemistry of advanced functional materials in single crystal and thin film form;
b) providing crucial underpinning characterization to develop new energy materials, platforms for next generation technologies, new systems for energy harvesting, and materials-based quantum technologies;
c) allowing an integrated approach to the design of new advanced and quantum materials through combined growth, structural and spectroscopic characterization facilities, creating a centre of excellence for designer advanced and quantum materials.
Access to the facility will be provided and managed through the Centre for Designer Quantum Materials, providing a single point of contact for our facilities, and ensuring that its capabilities are available to users from across St Andrews, Scotland, and beyond.
Planned Impact
Advanced Materials are a key driver for new technologies, and as such are at the heart of a broad spectrum of EPSRC strategic priority areas and the UK Industrial strategy. We expect a broad range of impact of the proposed equipment, including:
a) People
The equipment will provide opportunities for students and PDRAs to obtain training in operating and interpreting data from advanced characterization tools. It will provide them with valuable skills and knowledge for future careers in materials-related research and development.
b) Research Impact
The proposed equipment underpins a broad range of research areas at the University of St Andrews. The availability of fast structural feedback for thin films samples will be crucial for research on designing thin films, heterostructures and nanostructures for specific properties. The equipment will thus lead to accelerated research. Results from will be published in internationally leading journals and presented at conferences.
c) Economic Impact
The research that will be supported through this equipment is already embedded within a wide network of existing project partners from industry. Several of these have already approached us with requests for access to the equipment when it is operational. The equipment will therefore be beneficial for joint research projects with industry, and we expect that relevance for industry will become apparent already in the short term. In the long term, development of new functional heterostructures and films is expected to lead to advances in all the research areas underpinned by the equipment. Arising intellectual property will be patent protected, building on our already successful track record in patenting and licensing IP developed from our research projects, thus ensuring long-term economic impact is efficiently realised.
a) People
The equipment will provide opportunities for students and PDRAs to obtain training in operating and interpreting data from advanced characterization tools. It will provide them with valuable skills and knowledge for future careers in materials-related research and development.
b) Research Impact
The proposed equipment underpins a broad range of research areas at the University of St Andrews. The availability of fast structural feedback for thin films samples will be crucial for research on designing thin films, heterostructures and nanostructures for specific properties. The equipment will thus lead to accelerated research. Results from will be published in internationally leading journals and presented at conferences.
c) Economic Impact
The research that will be supported through this equipment is already embedded within a wide network of existing project partners from industry. Several of these have already approached us with requests for access to the equipment when it is operational. The equipment will therefore be beneficial for joint research projects with industry, and we expect that relevance for industry will become apparent already in the short term. In the long term, development of new functional heterostructures and films is expected to lead to advances in all the research areas underpinned by the equipment. Arising intellectual property will be patent protected, building on our already successful track record in patenting and licensing IP developed from our research projects, thus ensuring long-term economic impact is efficiently realised.
