Laboratory of Ion Beam Applications (IBA Lab)

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Most of the experimental facilites of our laboratory are based on a 5 MV Van de Graaff (VdG) electrostatic accelerator. VdG provides energetic ions (H+, D+, He+, etc.) for ion beam analysis, physical experiments, as well as for the modification and testing of materials.

Schematic diagram of the IBA Lab.

Beamlines used for ion beam applications:

• Experimental setups
• Macro-PIXE chamber (L45^o)
• Macro-PIGE, DIGE, NRA chamber & in-air PIXE (R30^o)
• Oxford Microbeams-type scanning nuclear microprobe (0^o)
• XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) setup
• Accessories
• Detectors:
• Si(Li)
• SUTW Si(Li)
• Ge(Li)
• Clover-Ge-BGO
• PIPS
• PIN
• Electronics:
• power supplies
• preamplifiers
• amplifiers
• digital signal processors
• ADCs
• MCAs
• AIM
• Data Acquisition Systems
• current integrators
• Analytical software:
• Gamma: FGM (Comp. Phys. Comm. 34 (1985) 313)
• PIXE: PIXEKLM-TPI (NIMB 231 (2005) 156)
• RBS: RBX (NIMB 85 (1994) 588); WINDF (NIMB 136 (1998) 1157)
• XRF: AXIL (IAEA)
• Laboratory for sample preaparation
• Zeiss Axio Imager Optical Microscope
• Leybold UNIVEX 350 Vacuum Coating System
• Cole-Parmer Ultrasonic cleaner & thermostat (model 08895-22, 100W)
• Fume hood
• Cammax Precima Spincoater (800-8000 rpm)
• Arex Heating Magnetic Stirrer (Velp Scientific)
• Microbalance

The research infrastructure of the laboratory was upgraded in the framework of the EU co-funded Economic Competitiveness Operative Programme (GVOP-3.2.1.-2004-04-0402/3.0) in 2006, including oil-free vacuum system, vacuum coating system, nuclear electronics, X-ray detectors, optical microscope and a quadrupole magnet lens.

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Macro-PIXE chamber

Macro-PIXE (broad beam) chamber for analytical and radiation chemistry studies. Beam spot size: 0.5 - 5 mm Analyzable elements: Mg-U (DL>1 ppm) Requirements: vacuumable, small sized (<50 mm), solid samples (e.g. atmospheric aerosols, metals, polymers, pressed powders, etc.)

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Macro-PIGE, DIGE, NRA chamber

Broad beam chamber for analytical measurements and physical studies Beam spot size: 1 - 10 mm Analyzable elements (DL>1 ppm) Li-Si (PIGE, DIGE, NRA);

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Oxford Microbeams type scanning nuclear microprobe facility

Features:

• Oxford-type quadruple triplet
• Beam spot size: 1.5 x 1.5 µm² (20 pA); 0.6 x 0.7 µm² (<1 pA)
• Max mapping (scan) size: 2.5 x 2.5 mm²
• X-Y-Z translator and two axes goniometer
• Microscope & camera
• Oil free vacuum system
• Beam chopper

Techniques:

• Micro-IBA (PIXE, PIGE, DIGE, NRA, RBS, ERDA, STIM), IBIC (DL>1 ppm)
• Analyzable elements:
• H (ERDA)
• Li..Si (NRA/DIGE/PIGE)
• B..U (PIXE and RBS)
• Depth resolution: 2-20 nm

Requirements:

• vacuumable, solid samples (<50 mm):
  e.g. archaeological, atmospheric aerosols, biological, geological, industrial, etc.

The photos in the gallery show quite a different setup of the microprobe for micro PIXE and PIGE measurements. Here the beamline is equipped with a Clover-BGO detector for Gamma detection of light elements and for the microPIXE two Si(Li) X-ray detectors (SUTW/Be windowed Z>4/Z>11) are used.

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XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) setup

Analyzable elements: Na-U (DL=100-0.5 ppm)

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Zeiss Axio Imager Optical Microscope

Features: Ocular lens and CCD digital camera Objective lenses (5x, 10x, 20x, 50x, 100x) Manual focus and stage Transmitted and reflected light illumination Contrast modes: BF (Bright Field) ADF (Advanced Dark Field) C-DIC (Circular Differential Intereference Contrast) TIC (Total Intereference Contrast)

See some examples here.

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Leybold UNIVEX 350 Vacuum Coating System

The evaporator provides the possibility of thermal and electron beam evaporation. The system is equipped with computer controlled vacuum system, programmable electron beam sweeper, film thickness monitor, automatic source shutters and rotatable substrate holder.

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Cole-Parmer Ultrasonic cleaner & thermostat

model 08895-22, 100W

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Cammax Precima Spincoater

800-8000 rpm

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Arex Heating Magnetic Stirrer (Velp Scientific)