Facilities

Facilities:

X-ray Diffraction Imaging Laboratory

The X-ray Diffraction Imaging (XRDI) system consists of a Rigaku MicroMax-007 rotating anode x-ray generator that generates x-rays with a wavelength of 1.54 Å (Cu anode) and focuses x-rays down to a diameter of 0.075 mm. X-ray are imaged with a Dectris Eiger2 area detector that is capable of single photon counting and can operate at high frequency. This setup is ideally suited for nanoscale crystal structure determination and streamlined sample preparation for advanced lens-less X-ray imaging techniques such as Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging (BCDI) as performed at synchrotron facilities such as the Diamond Light Source.

Sample Preparation Room

The sample preparation room is equip with a fume cupboard that houses a spin coater, sonic bath, hot plate and weighing scale. There is also an optical microscope with micromanipulator for sample inspection and manipulation.

Synthesis Laboratory

The CXS Synthesis laboratory is primarily used for the synthesis of nanometre scale crystals and device structures. Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) permits the synthesis of complex transition metal-oxide materials such as vanadates, cuprates and manganites as thin films or as heterostructures. Our laboratory houses a 248 nm KrF excimer laser for pulsed laser deposition and laser-assisted fabrication. The laboratory is also equip with two thermal vacuum tube furnaces and various gases for nanoscale crystal synthesis via thermal CVD.