Watching soft matter in action - a RÅC initiative for fast dynamic studies using X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy

Research Project, 2013 – 2015

The aim of the project is to further develop methodology and use of x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS). XPCS utilizes the coherence properties of the premier facilities in the Röntgen-Ångström Cluster (RÅC), the synchrotrons PETRAIII and MAX IV and the European X-ray Free Electron Laser, XFEL.EU. These facilities provide the highest coherent flux of X-ray photons in the world and allow advancing XPCS to a new level of complexity. XPCS covers a unique time and energy window allowing studies of dynamics directly in the time domain over a very large time range (fs-1000s) on micro/mesoscopic length scales. To advance the technique we will - develop methods and algorithms for data treatment at XFEL sources - extend the practical time range by application of split-delay lines - develop a generic sample chamber for XPCS The new technical developments open up new possibilities to follow Soft Matter in action. We will demonstrate this in two key projects - microscopic dynamics at the glass transition and colloidal growth and structure-dynamics relations in colloidal suspensions. To address the technical and scientific challenges we have assembled a team of two German and two Swedish university groups and the two facilities XFEL.EU and PETRA III. Five PhD-students and one post doc will be recruited for the project. There will be a joint German/Swedish supervision of the students/post-docs strengthening the collaboration

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Sustainable development

Driving Forces

Materials Science

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