In this research program, modern x-ray scattering techniques are used to study the structures and phase transitions in novel states of condensed matter. We have two principal experimental facilities. At M.I.T. we have three high-resolution computer controlled x-ray spectrometers using either a conventional or high intensity rotating anode x-ray generator. The angular resolution can be made as f...

The present thesis is devoted to theoretical studies of resonant X-ray scattering and propagation of strong X-ray pulses. In the first part of the thesis the nuclear dynamics of different molecules is studied using resonant X-ray Raman and resonant Auger scattering techniques. We show that the shortening of the scattering duration by the detuning results in a purification of the Raman spectra f...

Using a superconducting-wavelength-shifter X-ray source with a photon flux density of 10(11)-10(13) photons s(-1) mrad(-1) (0.1% bandwidth)(-1) (200 mA)(-1) in the energy range 5-35 keV, three hard X-ray beamlines, BL01A, BL01B and BL01C, have been designed and constructed at the 1.5 GeV storage ring of the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC). These have been designed for str...

Introduction: Unfolding X-ray spectrum is a powerful tool for quality control of X-ray tubes. Generally, the acquisition of the X-ray spectrum in diagnostic radiology departments is complicated and difficult due to high photon flux. Measurement of x ray spectra using radiation detectors could not be performed accurately, because of the pulse pile up. Therefore, indirect methods...

Small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) imaging can differentiate tissue types based on their nanoscale molecular structure. However, characterization of the coherent scattering cross-section profile of relevant tissues is needed to optimally design SAXS imaging techniques for a variety of biomedical applications. Reported measured nervous tissue x-ray scattering cross sections under a synchrotron ...

We show that discotics, lying deep in the columnar phase, can exhibit an x-ray scattering pattern which mimics that of a somewhat unusual smectic liquid crystal. This exotic, new glassy phase of columnar liquid crystals, which we call a "hybrid columnar Bragg glass," can be achieved by confining a columnar liquid crystal in an anisotropic random environment of, e.g., strained aerogel. Long-rang...

Monte Carlo Ray Tracing: MCRT based sensitivity analysis of the geophysical parameters (the atmosphere and the ocean) on Top of the Atmosphere: TOA radiance in visible to near infrared wavelength regions is conducted. As the results, it is confirmed that the influence due to the atmosphere is greater than that of the ocean. Scattering and absorption due to aerosol particles and molecules in the...

The gigantic reduction of the electric resistivity under the applied magnetic field, CMR effect, is now widely accepted to appear in the vicinity of the insulator to metal transition of the perovskite manganites. Recently, we have discovered the first order transition from ferromagnetic metal to insulator in La0.88Sr0.12MnO3 of the CMR manganite. This phase transition induces the tremendous inc...

Time-resolved X-ray solution scattering is an increasingly popular method to measure conformational changes in proteins. Extracting structural information from the resulting difference X-ray scattering data is a daunting task. We present a method in which the limited but precious information encoded in such scattering curves is combined with the chemical knowledge of molecular force fields. The...

The generation of ultra-short x-rays by Thomson scattering intense laser pulses from electron beams is discussed, including recent experimental results and methods for enhancing the x-ray flux. A high flux of x-rays in a femtosecond pulse requires the generation of femtosecond electron bunches and a head-on Thomson scattering geometry. The generation of ultrashort electron bunches in a plasmaba...