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Transport and Magnetic Measurements
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The Center for Characterization provides instruments
for general materials' characterization regardless of the sample size. Such
characterization section deals more with the materials general properties
rather than its appearance. The instrumentation is grouped in four sections:
Fast ScreeningFast Screening section is meant for the first time users of the Facility that are not certain about basic properties of their newly synthesized materials. There, with some routine measurements, they are able to get information about the sample composition (ICP-MS, XFS), its thermal stability (TGA/DSC), basic optical properties (UV-VIS, FTIR), particle size and surface morphology (light scattering, AFM,) and so on. The purpose of this section also is to prevent accidental contamination of more specialized and expensive equipment that should not be used without prior knowledge of the sample basic properties.
SPMSPM unit provides various devices for surface imaging and characterization based on scanning probe microscopy. The unit is equipped with High Resolution AFM, ambient, low pressure and low temperature AFM. Also, the unit provides SNOM and AFM imaging in liquid for biological samples. In addition, the Center is equipped with Confocal Raman integrated within AFM and optical profilometer.
Optical CharacterizationOptical Characterization section is divided in two parts:
The former is featuring the state of the art commercial instruments
for absorption, emission and inelastic light scattering measurements
that can be performed in a broad spectral range with superb sensitivity,
resolution and accuracy (see the capital equipment selection list).
Photonic Laboratory is dedicated to users requiring more advanced
optical measurements for which no commercial instruments are available.
It features several different laser sources, spectrometers, and
sensitive light detectors in the UV, VIS and NIR region, all assembled
on a couple of large optical tables. The flexible optical setup allows
for number of different measurements to be performed sequentially by
using a simple set of optical switches. In this way the laser output
is sent through various sets of optical components required for one
type of measurements, which are attached permanently on the optical
table. These include photo-luminescence (PL), resonance enhanced Raman
(RAR) , surface enhanced Raman (SERS), photo- and electro-luminescence
quantum efficiency (PLQE and ELQE), radiative life-time,
photo-conductivity, nonlinear optical response (SHG,THG, SFG),
photovoltaic response, and others. A state of the art optical cryostat
permits these measurements to be performed as a function of
temperature, simultaneously with electric transport measurements when
needed.
Photonic laboratory scheme (located in basement): Transport and Magnetic propertiesTransport and Magnetic properties of nano-materials are of particular
interest for novel technological applications. This section of the User
Facility features several state of the art instrumentation from leading
manufacturers. The Bruker ELEXSYS E 580 X-band EPR spectrometer allows
for both continues wave and pulsed operations and permits detection of
paramagnetic species induced by light. There has been an increasing
awareness among pharmaceutical industry that the exposure of certain
medicaments to sunlight can induce free radical formation and thus alter the
drug. A detailed understanding of light-induced charge-transfer phenomena is
of fundamental importance for light detectors, photo-voltaics and
photo-synthesis as well. As already mentioned, we couple photonic
laboratory with the Laboratory for Magnetic and Transport measurements,
which will allow detailed investigations of such phenomena.
Structural CharacterizationStructural Characterization of solid state samples often requires a
combination of analytical techniques. Some of these techniques are elemental
analysis, mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. There
are a large number of different types of instruments for each of these
methods and techniques available on the market. Some of those are scattered
among several scientific institutions in Belgrade and are in principle
accessible to a broader scientific community. There are two groups
specialized in mass spectrometry, one in Vinca and one at the Technology
University of Belgrade. There is a liquid NMR spectrometer in the Department
of Chemistry in Belgrade, which is well utilized and is serving users from
other institutions on a regular basis. There are also a few operational
X-Ray diffraction instruments.
The X-Ray diffraction instrument, D8 DISCOVER with DAVINCI design, increases ease-of-use with real-time component detection, plug-and-play functionality and fully integrated 2-dimensional XRD capabilities. These unique features allow the user to easily switch between all materials research X-ray diffraction applications, including reflectometry, high-resolution diffraction, grazing incidence diffraction (IP-GID), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), as well as residual stress and texture investigations. In particular, for micro-diffraction and ultra-fast reciprocal space mapping, the new two-dimensional VǺNTEC-500 detector with 2048x2048 channels at 144 cm2 active area provides highest sensitivity for detecting even the weakest diffraction signals in short measurement times. The D8 DISCOVER with DAVINCI design is designed to meet all the latest X-ray safety regulatory requirements, providing scientists peace-of-mind. An integral part of the D8 DISCOVER with DAVINCI design is the new software with consistently implemented automation functionality. An X-ray optics module, a detector, or any accessory mounted onto the instrument registers itself in real-time with its relevant parameters and analytical capabilities, including powerful detection of possible component conflicts. The factory-aligned, snap-lock X-ray optics provide true ‘plug-and-play’ functionality, including automatic and tool-free switching of the diffraction geometry with minimal user intervention. The DIFFRAC.SUITE offers intuitive operation based on a graphical user interface that can be customized to match the operator’s requirements.
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