The scope of the section is very broad, spanning from the Earth core to the confines of the Universe, passing through the critical zone and the atmosphere with corresponding research performed on 2/3 of the SOLEIL beamlines portfolio, with a wide range of technics dedicated to the study of all states of matter: from hard solid state, to liquids, aerosols and gaseous phase.
The section "Environment and Geosciences" is divided into two sub-sections:
The sub-section "Physical Chemistry of Atmosphere & Universe" aims at studying objects and various photon-matter interactions occurring on mostly dilute matter at all scales of the universe from interstellar molecular clouds to (proto-)stars, stellar systems and planetary atmospheres including the one of Earth. More precisely, regarding space sciences, by using far-IR to VUV photons we wish to study the electronic and molecular structures and reactivity of various isolated neutral or ionized species such as radicals, cold molecules, prebiotic and C-rich molecules such as PAHs and related species in strong interplay with telescope data and modelling. VUV and X-ray photons are also used to mimic out of space photophysical/photochemical processes which shaped up our universe from the birth of early stars up to the origin of life on the primitive Earth. As for terrestrial atmospheric studies, crucial aspects deal with the quantitative understanding of greenhouse effect and ozone layer depletion by high resolution spectroscopy on small molecules such as halogenated hydrocarbons, as well as the study of oxidation processes and a better understanding of various combustion processes possibly leading to the use of cleaner fuels.
The sub-section "Earth, oceans and planetary science: from core to anthroposphere" covers geosciences topics mostly related to condensed matter: from the origin, history and structure of planets to the study of igneous rocks and volcanic processes, rock mechanics and critical zone complex processes. For example, our facilities can be used to better understand the formation and evolution of the solar system and telluric bodies by producing detailed 3D reconstructions of asteroid grains recovered from space missions, combining X-ray and FTIR computed tomography. The crystalline structure of solids or the structure and density of melts can be measured in situ at extreme pressure and temperature conditions to better constrain mineralogical models of planetary interiors, using X-ray diffraction and imaging. The physical properties of these materials, such as compressibility, thermal expansion, melting, viscosity, etc. can be measured and compared to geophysical data. As for the dynamic and complex processes that prevail in the critical zone, such as pollutions and biosphere-mineral interactions, better understanding them requires a multi-modal work at multiple scales, from the molecular one (local speciation of metals) using X-ray absorption spectroscopy, to the nano scale using soft X-ray spectro-microscopy, nano scanning, ptychography or full field imaging (chemical mapping, morphology), to finally micro and macro scales.
Beamlines and Laboratories of the section
Contact
Head of the "Earth, oceans and planetary science" sub section:
Nicolas Guignot (nicolas.guignot@synchrotron-soleil.fr)
Head of the "Physical Chemistry of Atmosphere & Universe" sub section:
Laurent Nahon (laurent.nahon@synchrotron-soleil.fr)
Global dedicated email address: geo@synchrotron-soleil.fr
Research fields
For the sub-section “Physical Chemistry of Atmosphere & Universe”:
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Atmospheric chemistry
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Oxidation and combustion processes
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Planetary atmosphere physical chemistry
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Interstellar medium: identification of species and photodynamics
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Origin of life and of organic matter
The sub-section "Earth, oceans and planetary science: from core to anthroposphere":
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Mineral physics – Earth and planetary deep interiors
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Rock mechanics
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Volcanology
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Biogeosciences
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Planetary surface and sub-surface processes – including Ocean sciences
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Paleoenvironments
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Paleontology (shared with the “Cultural & Natural Heritage” scientific section)
Techniques d’analyse proposées par la section
- Near- mid-IR spectro-microscopy on micro-meteorites and sample return from mission in the solar system
- Far- and mid-IR high resolution absorption spectroscopy on dilute gas phase species: stable species (closed shell), and transient species (radicals and ions)
- VUV high resolution absorption spectroscopy on dilute gas phase species: stable species (closed shell), and transient species (radicals and ions)
- Mass-selected photoelectron spectroscopy (by i2PEPICO) on stable species and radicals: spectroscopy, photoionization / fragmentation processes
- Oxidation and chemical analysis of atmospheric aerosols by i2PEPICO
- VUV action spectroscopy on trapped ions
- VUV asymmetric photon-induced processes on thin films, ices and gas phase (origin of homochirality)
- ARPES (VUV) on atmospheric aerosols
- XPS (Soft X-rays) on atmospheric aerosols
- XAS at different scales on many different geomaterials including soils, liquids…
- XRD, XRF adapted to many configurations / samples. 3D reconstructions using computed tomography are also possible (with some limitations).
- XEOL. Combined with XRF provides fast qualitative simultaneous information on the valence states
- Coherent diffraction Imaging (Ptychography), STXM, XPEEM
- XAS, XRD, XRF and XEOL can be used in mapping applications, including at nano scale
- Full-field imaging, including hyperspectral or high-speed, at different scales. X-ray computed Tomography.
- Some of the techniques are compatible with sample environments, including microfluidics, furnaces, cryostats, high-pressure cells, etc.