Applications of synchrotron radiation in materials analysis

The synchrotron radiation (SR) emitted by circulating high-energy electrons has extraordinary properties: The light is intensive and bright, it is tunable and highly collimated, and finally, it is linearly polarized. These exceptional properties have initiated a unique revival of many spectroscopies using electromagnetic radiation. The techniques of special concern for materials analysis which are treated in this article are: X-ray absorption, reflection, fluorescence, diffraction and topography. A number of examples will be given in order to illustrate the possibilities of these techniques when SR is used.On leave of absence from Institut für Festkörperforschung, KFA Jülich, D-5170 Jülich, Federal Republic of Germany     

Non-destructive depth profile analysis using synchrotron radiation excited XPS

We have used synchrotron radiation as excitation source in an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) experiment to analyse surface-near element depth profiles non-dectructively. By tuning the photon energy one can vary the kinetic energy of the photoelectrons and in turn the information depth of the measurement. To quantify the sample geometry (e.g. layer thicknesses) model calculations similar as for angle-resolved XPS (ARXPS) measurements are necessary. We have successfully applied this technique to several samples. We will show how to calculate the relative intensities of the peaks, using photoionization cross sections and an experimentally determined analyzer transmission function and the procedure to quantify the geometry for a model sample: natively oxidized Ta covered by carbon contamination. At Sn-doped indium oxide samples we found a sub-monolayer of segregated Sn at the surface which was expected from previous investigations.     

High-temperature studies of La1−x SrxFeO3−δ solid solutions using synchrotron radiation

A series of La_1?x Sr_xFeO_3?δ samples with a perovskite structure were investigated by high-temperature X-ray analysis using synchrotron radiation. In this series, one can observe a morphotropic phase transition (0.3 ? x ? 0.4) from the orthorhombic (0 ? x < 0.3) to cubic (0.4 < x ? 0.75) modification. The samples from the morphotropic transition region (MTR) at room temperature have a highly disordered microblock structure related to their phase heterogeneity; according to high-temperature X-ray analysis data, this is the result of particle stratification of the high-temperature homogeneous solid solution formed at the temperature of the synthesis (1200°C) in the course of cooling.     

CH3I同步辐射光电离及生成焓、键能和质子亲合势的测定

在超声射流冷却条件下用VUV同步辐射研究了CH3I分子的光电离过程。测定了CH3I光电离及解离电离产生的CH3I^+, CH3^+和I^+的出现势, 结合已确认的热力学数据, 估算出体系中有关离子的标准生成焓、分子和分子离子的键能、自由基的质子亲合势及母体离子的解离能等数据。对CH3I分子VUV光解离电离通道进行了分析。     

Concept for a single-shot mid-infrared spectrometer using synchrotron radiation

Several attempts have been made to extend time-resolved mid infrared spectroscopy to higher time resolution. Such methods are either limited to specific samples that are cyclic and therefore allow the reaction under investigation to be repeated multiple times in the same manner, or they lack spectral resolution or sufficient signal-to noise ratio. Here, we report on a single-shot spectrometer concept which overcomes the aforementioned limitations utilizing fast linear detector arrays and highly brilliant infrared synchrotron radiation. The spectrometer may find applications, beside others, for the investigation of irreversible cascades of structural alterations in proteins.     

Experimental study on synchrotron radiation photoionization of secondary organic aerosol derived from styrene ozonolysis

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) produced by ozonolysis of styrene and other alkene compounds is a major part of fine particles in urban atmospheres. The atmospheric ozonolysis process of styrene is simulated in a smog chamber, and the formed SOA particles are detected on-line by a synchronous radiation vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometer (VUV-PIMS) in this study. Through molecular ion peaks in the photonionization mass spectra of SOA and the corresponding photoionization efficiency curve, combined with off-line measurement verification of ultraviolet visible and infrared absorption spectra, it is determined that formaldehyde, formic acid, benzene, phenol, benzaldehyde, and benzoic acid are the main constituents of styrene SOA. These provide new information for studying the atmospheric ozonolysis oxidation mechanism of styrene. VUV-PIMS can get over complicated sample preparation procedures, secondary pollution, and other shortcomings of the off-line method and is a useful instrument to measure constituents and unveil the formation process of SOA particles.     

偶氮苯的同步辐射光电离及光解离

芳香族偶氮化合物(通式为Ar-N=N-Ar)是品种最多、应用最广的一类合成染料。由于偶氮苯类化合物容易发生感光异构[1],近年来已引起材料学家对它们的光子模式信息存储性能方面的广泛关注[2,3]。本文报道同步辐射光电离质谱法研究偶氮苯获得了该类物质的IP、AP、D0等重要参数。1　实验采用光束线编号为U10A同步辐射光源[4],工作波段35-300nm,分辨λ/△λ>500,波长精度±0 1nm,样品处光通量在1011光子/秒,样品处光斑大小3(水平)×1(垂直)mm。实验样品为固体,所以在光电离室电离区的正下方安装了一个加热炉,将固态样品放在炉内,通过调节…     

TiO2 distribution in aged and injected isotactic polypropylene parts by synchrotron radiation X‐ray microfluorescence

We studied the TiO₂ pigment distribution along cross sections of injected isotactic polypropylene samples after they were aged by light exposure for 515 and 3000 h in accelerated test equipment. The TiO₂ pigment distribution was studied so that we could understand the whitening process occurring in this type of plastic. For these studies, we used a 20‐μm X‐ray microbeam from a synchrotron light source. We observed that the aged and nonaged samples had almost homogeneous distributions of Ti in the cross sections; therefore, pigment migration could not have been responsible for the surface whitening process. There were maxima of Ti intensities that were not in the same region for all samples. This behavior could be explained by the heterogeneity of the extrusion and injection‐molding processes. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 657–662, 2002; DOI 10.1002/polb.10127     

Structural study of perovskite-type fine particles by synchrotron radiation powder diffraction

The crystal structures of BaTiO₃ and PbTiO₃ fine particles have been investigated by powder diffraction using synchrotron radiation high energy X-rays. It is revealed that a BaTiO₃ fine particle essentially consists of tetragonal and cubic structure components at 300 K, whereas a PbTiO₃ fine particle consists of a tetragonal structure. Adopting a structure model for the BaTiO₃ particle that a cubic shell covers a tetragonal core, the thickness of cubic BaTiO₃ shell is estimated at almost constant irrespective of particle sizes. Successive phase transitions are detected in 100 nm particles of BaTiO₃ near the phase-transition temperatures of a bulk crystal. The changes in diffraction profiles are small, but they are apparent for a most up-to-date powder diffractometry. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The change of the superstructure of semicrystalline polymers during deformation: results from small-angle scattering with synchrotron radiation

The change of the superstructure of different polyethylenes during uniaxial deformation is investigated. The method used is small-angle scattering with synchrotron radiation. For branched polyethylene (Lupolen 1840D) the whole deformation range is analyzed. Beginning with superstructure of the lamellar cluster type, the superstructure partly disappears on a time scale of a few minutes and the fibrillar structure is built up. The degree of destruction and rebuilding depends on the drawing temperature. For very high molecular weight polyethylene (GUR) a reversible change of the superstructure at higher deformation ratios and at different temperatures is observed. The superstructure of (ethylene—hexene) copolymers (TIPELIN) at high draw ratios depends on the drawing temperature and is almost independent of the side group content. Interfibrillar microcracks parallel to the draw direction are produced in samples with a low side group content for draw ratios λ ≥ 1.5.     

Surface hydrogen and growth mechanisms of synchrotron radiation-assisted silicon gas source molecular beam epitaxy using disilane

Surface hydrogen and growth mechanisms are investigated for synchrotron radiation (SR)-assisted gas source molecular beam epitaxy (SR-GSMBE) using Si₂H₆ on the Si(100) surface in the low-temperature region. The surface silicon hydrides (deuterides) are monitored in situ during the epitaxial growth by means of infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy with a Si(100) substrate and a CoSi₂ buried metal layer. It is concluded that the chemisorption of gas-phase reactive species such as SiH_n and H generated by SR irradiation and the subsequent hydrogen desorption are the key mechanisms of SR-GSMBE at low substrate temperatures. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of heating on polyaniline powders studied by real-time synchrotron radiation diffraction,mass spectrometry and thermal analysis

The effect of heating on four chemically synthesized polyanilines, three of which were doped by HCI, H₂SO₄, HCIO₄, and one sample which was dedoped, was investigated. The structural variations during thermal decomposition were studied by real-time synchrotron radiation diffractometry and correlated with mass spectrometry (MS), thermal gravimetry (TG), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). These macroscopic and microscopic techniques were combined in order to shed more light on the role played by the water and the counteranion molecules on the structure of doped polyaniline. Evidence for two H₂O fractions was found for HCI-doped polyaniline. Chain degradation was observed for HCIO₄ and H₂SO₄-doped polyaniline. The results indicate that intermediate sulphonation of polymer chains occurs in the latter case.     

Taking snapshots of photoexcited molecules in disordered media by using pulsed synchrotron X-rays

Photoexcited molecules are quintessential reactants in photochemistry. Structures of these photoexcited molecules in disordered media in which a majority of photochemical reactions take place remained elusive for decades owing to a lack of suitable X-ray sources, despite their importance in understanding fundamental aspects in photochemistry. As new pulsed X-ray sources become available, short-lived excited-state molecular structures in disordered media can now be captured by using laser-pulse pump, X-ray pulse-probe techniques of third-generation synchrotron sources with time resolutions of 30-100 ps, as demonstrated by examples in this review. These studies provide unprecedented information on structural origins of molecular properties in the excited states. By using other ultrafast X-ray facilities that will be completed in the near future, time-resolution for the excited-state structure measurements should reach the femtosecond time scales, which will make "molecular movies" of bond breaking or formation, and vibrational relaxation, a reality.     

Synchrotron radiation photoelectron studies for primary radiation effects using a liquid water jet in vacuum: Total and partial photoelectron yields for liquid water near the oxygen -edge

A new spectroscopy to identify the hydration structure playing important role in liquid-phase radiation damage is in progress using a laminar liquid water jet sample in vacuum in combination with soft X-ray synchrotron radiation. We present the total and partial electron yields for liquid water using a photoelectron spectroscopy. Partial electron yields for the K^-11b₁1b₁ Auger transition are obtained for the first time by measuring the electrostatically dispersed electron kinetic energy spectra as a function of photon energy of synchrotron radiation.     

Detection and visualisation of elemental components in various ambient species by synchrotron microbeam technique

This study introduces the application of the synchrotron radiation induced X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) microprobe installed at the Super Photon ring-8 GeV (SPring-8), which is the world's largest third-generation synchrotron radiation facility, to the specification of chemical properties of various atmospheric samples. The combination of visual elemental mapping and XRF spectral analyses allows for the interpretation of the nature and composition of individual particles. Individually collected droplets by the replication technique were also irradiated by X-ray microbeam to carry out visual reconstruction of elemental maps for their multiple components. The multielemental peaks corresponding to X-ray energy were also successfully resolved. Because the chemical contents of solute for individual droplets can be definitely clarified in this study, we can describe the mechanisms involved in droplet formation and pollutant scavenging. The point analysis of sand dust collected from the local desert in China confirmed that the fine fragments of sand, which may be lifted and transported over a long distance, are considerably inhomogeneous in elemental component.     

Investigation of biodeteriorated historical textiles by conventional and synchrotron radiation FTIR spectroscopy

We have examined specimens of historical biodeteriorated cellulose textiles using synchrotron radiation and conventional source FTIR spectroscopy. The main aim of our research was to investigate structural changes caused by ageing and biodeterioration in different types of cellulose fibres. We compared the results, obtained with both methods regarding spectral quality and information obtained with each method. Additionally, we obtained mapping images of the cross sections of the investigated specimens using synchrotron FTIR in order to analyze structural changes in cross sections, caused due to biodeterioration.     

An investigation of the smectic-isotropic transition in a side-chain liquid crystal polymer by synchrotron radiation x-ray diffraction

In this work we have used synchrotron x-radiation diffraction to follow in real-time the isotropic-smoetic phase transition of a side-chain liquid crystalline polymer. The analysis of the x-ray data indicated that the transition occurs within a very narrow biphasic region. As the transition takes place, the size of the smectic regions, as indicated by the width of the diffraction peaks, changed only very slightly before impingement, suggesting a two-dimensional growth pattern. A thermal investigation of the polymer paralleling the x-ray experiments was undertaken and a kinetic analysis applied to the resulting data. Qualitative agreement with a disk-like growth of the smectic regions was found. We have shown that the overall kinetics of the isotropic-smectic transition of a side-chain polymer can be studied by x-ray diffraction permitting the evaluation of several structural parameters. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synchrotron radiation circular dichroism spectroscopy of ribose and deoxyribose sugars, adenosine, AMP and dAMP nucleotides.

Synchrotron radiation circular dichroism (SRCD) spectra of ribose and deoxyribose sugars, adenosine, AMP and dAMP nucleotides and cyclic derivatives were measured in the vacuum ultraviolet region (down to 168 nm for sugars and 175 nm for adenine derivatives) and at different pH values (3, 6-7, 9-10) and temperatures (between 5 and 45 degrees C). The information content in the VUV region is important since the CD bands strongly depend on the chemical structure of the sugar, the presence and orientation of a phosphate group and the protonation state of adenine. On the other hand, single or double deprotonation of the phosphoric acid group has no influence on the spectra. We assign the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) CD bands of the nucleoside and nucleotides to be due mainly to n-->pi* transitions in the adenine nucleobase based on a comparison with the absorption spectra. The CD bands of the sugars are due to n(O -->sigma*) transitions and are much smaller than the CD signal from the nucleotides in the VUV region. Bands are assigned to both pyranose and open-chain forms.     

Applications of synchrotron radiation in forensic trace evidence analysis

Synchrotron radiation sources have proven to be highly beneficial in many fields of research for the characterization of materials. However, only a very limited proportion of studies have been conducted by the forensic science community. This is an area in which the analytical benefits provided by synchrotron sources could prove to be very important. This review summarises the applications found for synchrotron radiation in a forensic trace evidence context as well as other areas of research that strive for similar analytical scrutiny and/or are applied to similar sample materials. The benefits of synchrotron radiation are discussed in relation to common infrared, X-ray fluorescence, tomographic and briefly, X-ray diffraction and scattering techniques. In addition, X-ray absorption fine structure analysis (incorporating XANES and EXAFS) is highlighted as an area in which significant contributions into the characterization of materials can be obtained. The implications of increased spatial resolution on microheterogeneity are also considered and discussed.