Michel van Veenendaal
NIU Physics Professor Michel van Veenendaal is helping lead efforts to establish a network of 25 scientists from across the world who will work to lay the theoretical foundation for understanding “resonant X-ray scattering” – a developing and important tool for materials science researchers.
X-ray scattering techniques, used at high powered synchrotrons such as the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory, examine the scattered intensity of X-ray beams applied to sample materials. These techniques yield information about the structure, composition and physical properties of materials.
Resonant X-ray scattering is a new development in this area that uses atomic resonances to make the X-ray scattering chemically selective. The technique could help scientists investigate exciting phenomena such as electronic reconstructions at the interfaces of two materials and the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity.
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded a grant of $840,000 over three years to a Computational Materials Science Network (CMSN) led by van Veenendaal, Arun Bansil of Northeastern University and Jim Freericks of Georgetown University.
The CMSN will bring together 25 scientists from the United States and abroad, with funding to be used for joint postdoctoral researchers, exchanges, travel and workshops. The network’s research will provide necessary theoretical support to the growing experimental X-ray scattering work conducted at DOE-supported facilities such as Argonne.
“In materials science, researchers are continuously exploring new materials and devices, such as nanostructures, that we hope ultimately will help improve our quality of life,” van Veenendaal said. “This new project creates a global network of scholars dedicated to X-ray scattering research. It also will foster new collaborations and generate a better understanding of resonant X-ray scattering processes that can be used by the scientific community at large.”
Van Veenendaal serves as associate director of the NIU Institute for Nanoscience, Engineering and Technology.