{"id":1636,"date":"2025-02-09T15:39:06","date_gmt":"2025-02-09T23:39:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/carbon\/?page_id=1636"},"modified":"2026-03-18T12:25:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T19:25:07","slug":"pushing-the-limit-of-x-ray-science","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/carbon\/research\/pushing-the-limit-of-x-ray-science\/","title":{"rendered":"X-ray Science for Next-Gen Materials"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Core X-ray Methods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Technique<\/th>Probe Depth<\/th>Unique Capabilities<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
XAS (NEXAFS)<\/td>5-1000 nm<\/td>Chemical fingerprinting:<\/strong> Oxidation states, bond angles, and electronic structure at target elements (C, O, N, \u2026 edges)<\/td><\/tr>
RSoXS<\/td>2 nm \u2013 3 \u03bcm<\/td>Nanostructure + chemistry:<\/strong> Domain purity, molecular orientation, and interfacial composition<\/td><\/tr>
RSoXR<\/td>.1-500 nm<\/td>Buried interfaces:<\/strong> Layer thickness, density gradients, and interfacial roughness<\/td><\/tr>
GIWAXS<\/td>0.1 \u00c5 to 5 \u00c5<\/td>Crystal Structure:<\/strong> (Non-resonant<\/em>) Crystallinity, crystalline\/polycrystalline disorder, molecular packing<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why Resonance Matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"NEXAFS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At specific energies near absorption edges, X-ray sensitivity increases 100-1000\u00d7<\/strong> for target elements. We exploit this to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Isolate chemical environments<\/strong> (e.g., carbonyl vs aromatic carbon)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Map 3D molecular orientation<\/strong> using polarization control<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Quantify nanoscale composition<\/strong> in complex mixtures<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Advancing RSoXS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Our innovations in Resonant Soft X-ray Scattering<\/strong> include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • New tensor models for orientation analysis<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Developing multi component scattering models<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • In-situ\/operando measurement platforms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Probing Buried Structures with RSoXR<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Our Resonant Reflectivity<\/strong> work with Lawrence Berkeley Lab enables:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      • Interracial chemistry studies<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Thin film structure analyses<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Deep dives into light matter interactions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n