Development of new materials and catalytic processes from knowledge of atomic level geometrical and electronic structures gotten by using a beam line with high intensity and resolution

Abstract

In this project, we propose a set of experiments which are not possible in Brasil today, in particular, at the National Laboratory of Synchrotron Light (LNLS). The experiments include the electronic and structural properties of surface alloys and oxides important. for catalysis; the electronic properties of complex molecules in different environments; and the magnetic properties of colloids, nanocristals and thin films. All the experiments require radiation of high intensity, high brightness and monochromaticity not available today at the LNLS. The research on surface alloys and oxides involve highly reactive surfaces which deteriorate rapidly which requires high intensity for rapid execution of the experiments. It involves atoms of chemical species in different environments on the surface which require the possibility to resolve these states of small energetic separation. And, since we consider small quantities of material, it requires high intensity in order to measure the corresponding signal.The research on complex molecules requires high intensity polarized light in order to distinguish the signals from the molecules of different chirality. It requires high resolution in order to distinguish states with small energetic separation. And it requires high intensity because of the weakness of some of the transitions involved. The research on magnetism requires high intensity polarized radiation in order to be able to measure magnetic dichroism in low concentration materials and to measure magnetic X-ray scattering. In order to make these experiments possible, we request funds to construct a line at the LNLS -because of contributions from the LNLS, the value of the funds requested is much less than that of a commercial line. (AU)