Microfocus x-ray diffractometer for quantum and semiconductor materials

• Subject Area: Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: Funded in 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 563611788

We seek to procure the multi-purpose x-ray powder diffractometer that will be jointly used by the groups of Quantum Magnetism and Superconductivity and Semiconductor Physics. The instrument will be optimized for investigating both powder and thin-film samples and equipped with the rotating-anode x-ray source. The key feature of this instrument will be the microfocus option. For powder samples of quantum materials it will facilitate measurements under non-ambient conditions and measurements in thin capillaries, which are essential to mitigate preferred orientation effects in layered compounds. In the case of thin films, samples with steep lateral chemical gradients will be mapped out with the high spatial resolution. The main research objectives include structural characterization of quantum materials, especially frustrated magnets and superconductors, and a precise mapping of phase composition and orientation of semiconducting materials.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Mikrofokus-Röntgendiffraktometer für Quanten- und Halbleitermaterialien
• Instrumentation Group: 4010 Einkristall-Diffraktometer
• Applicant Institution: Universität Leipzig
• Leader: Professor Dr. Alexander Tsirlin