Three-dimensional reciprocal-space maps of a single SiGe island around the Si(004) Bragg peak are recorded using an energy-tuning technique with a microfocused X-ray beam with compound refractive lenses as focusing optics. The map is in agreement with simulated data as well as with a map recorded by an ordinary rocking-curve scan. The energy-tuning approach circumvents both the comparatively la...

Protein crystallisation is of great importance within structural proteomic projects where considerable time and effort is spent trying to obtain high resolution structural information from the X-ray diffraction of protein crystals. The crystallisation process is largely empirical due to a lack of understanding of crystallisation kinetics and it is often very challenging to obtain crystals of su...

Panguite (IMA 2010-057), (Ti,Sc,Al,Mg,Zr,Ca)1.8O3, is a new titania, occurring as fine-grained crystals with Ti-rich davisite in an ultra-refractory inclusion within an amoeboid olivine inclusion from the Allende CV3 carbonaceous chondrite. The phase was characterized by SEM, EBSD, synchrotron micro-diffraction, micro-Raman spectroscopy, and EPMA. The mean chemical composition of the type pangu...

An interpolating two-dimensional X-ray imaging detector based on a single-photon counter with gas amplification by GEM (gas electron multiplier) structures is presented. The detector system can be used for time-resolved structure research down to the micro s time domain. The prototype detector has been tested at the SAXS (small-angle X-ray scattering) beamline at ELETTRA synchrotron light sourc...

The combined effect of superficial nanocrystallisation by SMAT (Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment) followed by plasma nitriding on the mechanical properties of a medical grade austenitic stainless steel was studied. SMAT conditions were optimised to enhance nitrogen diffusion. Experimental observations (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy profiles, cross-sectional optical micrographs, pha...

Abstract In this project, nano-ZrO2 particles were dispersed in aluminum powder by a Y-shape mixer. The particle size of ZrO2 powder was < 40 nm and the amount of ZrO2 reinforcement varies from 3 to 15%.The mixed powders were compacted .Subsequently the compacted discs were sintered both in the microwave oven and in the conventional muffle furnace .Using microwave –assisted sintering method led...

The use of fluorescence full spectral micro-X-ray absorption near-edge structure (µXANES) mapping is becoming more widespread in the hard energy regime. This experimental method using the Ca K-edge combined with micro-X-ray diffraction (µXRD) mapping of the same sample has been enabled on beamline I18 at Diamond Light Source. This combined approach has been used to probe both long- and short-ra...

a new nano-sized cobalt(ii) coordination polymer, (col1).0.5dmf.1.5ch3oh(1); [h2l1 = 5-(4-carboxy phenyl azo) salicyilic acid] has been synthesized by a sonochemical method. the thermal stability of compound 1 was studied by thermo- gravimetric and differential thermal analyses. nano-structure of this coordination polymer was characterized by elemental analyses, ir spectroscopy,  powder x-ray d...

We have probed the effects of transverse variations in pinning strength on charge-density-wave (CDW) structure in NbSe3 by x-ray micro-beam diffraction. In ribbonlike crystals having a large longitudinal step in thickness, the CDW first depins on the thick side of the step, causing rotations of the CDW wave vector. By measuring these rotations as a function of position and electric field, the c...