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The PANalytical X'Pert Pro diffractometer is an excellent choice for X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The default mode of this instrument is in Bragg-Brentano parafocusing geometry, which is used for polycrystalline materials. We usually keep a linear position sensitive detector on the instrument, which permits rapid data collection for angles higher than 4 degrees 2Theta.

The basic instrument training session will focus on the collection of powder diffraction data using the high-speed optics, which consist of programmable divergence slits and X'Celerator high-speed detector, and the Open Eularian Cradle (OEC) sample stage. This configuration is best suited for high-speed high-resolution data collection from powders and polycrystalline thin films.

Accessories include several different sample stages and optics. After you have completed this training, you can request individaul training on the other configurations available with this instrument. There are three other sample stages that are available: (1) the 15 position automatic sample changer, (2) the furnace that can heat samples up to 1200 C, and (3) the cyrostat that can cool samples down to 11 K. The PANalytical also can be configured parallel-beam optics for grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD). After you have completed the basic training, you can request individual training on using the other configurations.

Users of this instrument should also strongly consider taking a data analysis course to suit their needs, such as the line profile fitting course for crystallite size and microstrain analysis, the Rietveld refinement series for quantitative phase analysis and unit cell analysis, or the Introduction to High Score Plus for qualitative phase identification and database search techniques.
 

Active MIT.nano user account is required to participate in this training. Please setup an account prior to registering for the training event. 

This lecture is intended for people who want to become independent self-user of the small or wide angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) instrument in the MRL X-Ray Lab.  SAXS describes the analysis of any sample that has nanostructured (1-100nm) electron density fluctuations -- i.e., nanoparticles in solution, block co-polymers, ionic liquids, soft matter, etc. Typically nanoscale electron density variations arise as structured (nanoscale object in a lattice), unstructured (in solution), or oriented (fiber or affixed to substrate) therefore treatment of each type of sample is on a case by case basis.  

Students must also attend SAXSLAB instrument specific training course to learn how to put the knowledge obtained in the lecture to practice.

This lecture will survey the fundamentals of small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), focusing on the bare essentials required to productively collect and analyze SAXS data.  In addition to theory, this lecture will cover practical considerations such as common sources of error and a guide to structural interpretation and justification using SAXS patterns.

This course will teach users the basics of data collection using the SAXSLAB instrument.  The SAXSLAB system has automated detector positioning for SAXS/WAXS analyses of samples in capillaries or freestanding films in a transmission geometry and GISAXS/GIWAXS of samples supported on a monolithic substrate in grazing incidence reflection gemoetry. Calibration of the q-range using silver behenate, acquisition of empty, buffer (if sample is immersed in solvent) and dark current exposures for similar timescales and data reduction procedures will be covered. The SAXSLAB instrument is very well suited for analyzing polymers, soft materials, nanoparticles in solution or dried on substrates, porous samples, and nanostructured surfaces. The emphasis in this training session will be design of experiment, routine collection and data reduction.

SAXS - small angle X-ray scattering
WAXS - wide angle X-ray scattering
GISAXS - grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering

Active MIT.nano user account is required to participate in this training. Please setup an account prior to registering for the training event. 

This course is intended to provide users with practical examples of fitting SAXS data with SASview software.

Since most SAXS profiles do not exhibit well defined peaks like crystalline diffraction but instead characteristic "slopes," it is a heavily model-dependent method. After proper data reduction of a SAXS patterns, the data interpretation methods include extracting structural information from standardized plots such as Guinier, Porod, Kratky and Zimm plots. Elements of SAXS data modeling include calculations of the radius of gyration, of the single-particle form factor, inter-particle structure factors and the modeling effects of polydispersity.

This group training event will focus on the basic operation of the EDAX EDS available at Characterization.nano. This group training will cover theoretical background, software interface and strategies for Data collection. Users can bring their own samples for this training. SEM training is a prerequisite for this training. Full independent tool access will be granted upon completion of this training session.

Active MIT.nano user account is required to participate in this training. Please setup an account prior to registering for the training event.  

Basic SEM training is a prerequisite for this training.

This group training event will focus on the basic operation of the EDAX EDS available at Characterization.nano. This group training will cover theoretical background, software interface and strategies for Data collection. Users can bring their own samples for this training. SEM training is a prerequisite for this training. Full independent tool access will be granted upon completion of this training session.

Active MIT.nano user account is required to participate in this training. Please setup an account prior to registering for the training event.  

Basic SEM training is a prerequisite for this training.

The PANalytical Empyrean diffractometer is an excellent choice for X-ray powder/polycrystalline diffraction measurements with low background. The default mode of this instrument is in Bragg-Brentano parafocusing geometry with CuKa1,Ka2 doublet radiation. Samples can be loaded into a 45-position sample changer to input into the reflection-transmission spinner stage. The instrument has linear position sensitive detector (Pixcel 1D, max count rate: 6.5 x 10^9 cps) which permits rapid data collection up to 255 times faster than with a traditional point detector.

The basic instrument training session will focus on the collection of powder diffraction data using the Bragg Brentano High Definition (BBHD) flat mirror optic, 45-position sample changer, reflection transmission spinner (in reflection geometry) and the Pixcel 1D detector.  This configuration is best suited for high-speed high-resolution data collection from powders and polycrystalline thin films.

Accessories include a Anton Paar CHC+ Cryo-Humidity stage. After you have completed this training, you can request individual training on the humidity stage available with this instrument. 

Users of this instrument should also strongly consider taking a data analysis course to suit their needs, such as the line profile fitting course for crystallite size and microstrain analysis, the Rietveld refinement series for quantitative phase analysis and unit cell analysis, or the Introduction to High Score Plus for qualitative phase identification and database search techniques.

Active MIT.nano user account is required to participate in this training. Please setup an account prior to registering for the training event. 

This class will teach the basics of collecting data using the Rigaku SmartLab with divergent beam and parallel-beam optics.  The focus will be data collection from polycrystalline thin films using X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) techniques and Grazing Incidence X-Ray Diffraction (GIXD).  The techniques will be applicable to other types of samples, such as powders and pellets. In addition, the basics of collecting X-ray reflectivity (XRR) data will be covered.

Active MIT.nano user account is required to participate in this training. Please setup an account prior to registering for the training event. 

This class will teach students the basic operation of the Bruker D8 HRXRD instrument.  The emphasis of this class will be on using triple-axis diffraction to collect data from epitaxial thin films.  This session will cover collecting coupled-scans of Bragg peaks and rocking curves.  This class will establish the foundation for collecting reciprocal space maps of epitaxial thin films, but the actual collection of RSMs will be covered in the separate class.  

This class will also cover the basis of collecting X-ray reflectivity (XRR) data from thin films.

Active MIT.nano user account is required to participate in this training. Please setup an account prior to registering for the training event. 

This group training event will focus on the basic operation of the EDAX EDS available at Characterization.nano. This group training will cover theoretical background, software interface and strategies for Data collection. Users can bring their own samples for this training. SEM training is a prerequisite for this training. Full independent tool access will be granted upon completion of this training session.

Active MIT.nano user account is required to participate in this training. Please setup an account prior to registering for the training event.  

Basic SEM training is a prerequisite for this training.