Scientific Programs

The SSM Group mission is to provide advanced x-ray techniques to diverse scientific communities for surface/interface science and for diffraction studies with excellent spatial resolution. Users with interests in materials growth, solid interfaces, geochemical interfaces, materials deformation, and other areas make use of our facilities at sector 33 or sector 34 at the Advanced Photon Source.
Primary Experimental Techniques

SURFACE/INTERFACE SCATTERING & DIFFRACTION

  • X-Ray Standing Waves
  • X-Ray Reflectivity from multilayers or geochemical interfaces
  • Crystal Truncation Rod scattering from clean surfaces and from buried interfaces
  • Thin-film diffraction to characterize epitaxial structure and strain

X-RAY Laue DIFFRACTION MICROSCOPY

  • sub-μm spatial resolution in 3 dimensions
  • both white and monochromatic beams.
  • measurements of orientation, strain, and k-space.