Scattering and Instrumentation Sciences

Research is supported on the fundamental interactions of photons, neutrons, and electrons with matter to understand the atomic, electronic, and magnetic structures and excitations of materials and the relationship of these structures and excitations to materials properties and behavior. Organizationally, the DOE EPSCoR program is also managed here.

X-Ray Scattering
Neutron Scattering
Electron and Scanning Probe Microscopies

For more information about these research areas, please contact the Team Lead, Dr. Helen Kerch.

Highlights

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Depiction of the newly discovered magnetic order of nickel spins (arrows) in nickel monosilicide as revealed by neutron diffraction (background) for the two sites of nickel (spheres).

A Surprising Discovery: Magnetism in a Common Material for Microelectronics

For the first time, researchers discovered magnetic order at high temperature in a metal widely used by the electronics industry.

Infrared laser light (red beam) illuminates the surface of ZrSiSe and mixes with electron oscillations enabled by an atomic force microscope (silver cone), propagating light as ray-like structures that guide the light through the interior (blue zig-zag).

What If Metals Could Conduct Light?

In the unusual world of quantum materials, metals can guide light in their interiors instead of merely reflecting it.