Synchrotron X-ray absorption fine structure and fundamental X-ray interactions for nano-physics, chemistry and mineralogy-via UniMelb

New X-ray techniques at synchrotrons hold the key to advance our ability to probe the local environment of atoms in crystalline and non-crystalline solids and, more importantly, in liquids and solutions. To achieve this we will develop our new techniques for accurate measurement of X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS) and X-ray near-edge structure (XANES), develop techniques for measuring fine structure from fluorescence, develop new theory and analytic code and apply these to issues of chemical, industrial and environmental importance. These will provide new tests of molecular bonding and solid state cluster theory and resolve discrepancies for metals and organometallics of direct relevance for mineralogy and catalysis.