UPSaclay STAR φ – Research Area and Environment
The SIXS Beamline
SixS (Surfaces and interfaces x-ray Scattering) is a hard x-rays beamline (5-20 keV) designed for investigating materials structures and their evolution under different conditions in different sample environments. SixS has two end stations: UHV (ultra-high vacuum) and MED (multi environment diffractometer) in which heavy-duty diffractometers are coupled with complex sample environments.
The UHV station is dedicated to the study of materials surface structures in very clean controlled conditions in real time. The materials can be annealed in situ and/or elaborated by depositions with dedicated evaporators. Exposure to desired gases in very low partial pressure regimes can also be performed. The MED station can host a flow reactor (XCAT) allowing x-ray scattering experiments under operando conditions (i.e. it is possible to follow the structural changes on a catalyst during a reaction recording at the same time the reaction products). The setup allows to identify the atomic structures and their modifications induced by the reaction by measuring the surface diffraction signal arising from the sample.
The main techniques available at SixS are:
- Surface sensitive x-ray diffraction (SXRD)
- Grazing incidence x-ray small angle scattering (GISAXS)
- X-ray reflectivity (XRR)
UPSaclay STAR φ – Research Areas
The candidate will be involved in one or more of the scientific programs developed on SixS, for which he/she is expected to propose a sound personal contribution, including:
- Identification of surfaces and interfaces atomic structures under UHV or controlled gas conditions.
- Identification of the structure-properties relationships during a catalysis reaction by using the XCAT setup.
Besides this in-house research program, the candidate will have the opportunity to be involved in the collaborative hosting of international external user teams on the SixS beamline with whom we have established collaborations. This is a great opportunity for the candidate to build their own scientific network. He/she will also be involved in instrumental developments in connection with the scientific project to be co-built between the candidate and the beamline team.
Profile of the candidates
The candidate is expected to hold a PhD in Physics or Chemical Physics or Chemistry. A solid background in catalysis and/or energy materials is preferred. Experience in x-ray scattering techniques and/or heterogeneous catalysis would be a clear asset.
Knowledge of French is not required, but a fluent level of spoken and written English is mandatory.
Recruited researchers can be of any nationality but must comply with the following mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months in the last three years.
Our Supervisors
Dr Alessandro Coati is the SIXS beamline group leader expert in structural studies of material surfaces, interfaces and nanoobjects by x-ray scattering techniques. He has supervised 8 PhD students and 1 post-doc.
Dr. Alina Vlad is scientist at the SIXS beamline, expert in structural analysis of surfaces, interfaces and nanostructures under operando conditions. She has supervised 1 PhD student and 1 master thesis.
Submit a proposal
For more information, visit the project web site UPSaclay STAR φ – Become a STAR φ Fellow!
Application forms and procedures: How to apply – UPSaclay STAR φ
For more information
Contacts: alessandro.coati@synchrotron-soleil.fr ; alina.vlad@synchrotron-soleil.fr