As of March 25, 2006

for international journal X-Ray Spectrometry (John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Synchrotron X-rays unveil nano-world of corrosion (February 9, 2006)

Corrosion detracts some 3% from global GDP.  From a positive point of view, however, chemical attack of metal surfaces may result in surface nano-structures with interesting technological applications such as catalysts and sensors.  Professor H. Dosch (Max Planck Institute) and his colleagues have recently clarified a self-organization process on the surface of Cu₃Au(111) single crystal alloy in a sulphuric acid solution, by means of a sophisticated X-ray diffraction technique with the aid of a brilliant synchrotron beam at ESRF, Grenoble, France.  They observed many interesting phenomena. In the initial moments of corrosion, an extremely thin gold-rich layer, which had an unexpected crystalline and well-ordered structure, was formed.  As the corrosion proceeded, this alloy layer was transformed into gold nano-islands of 20 to 1.5 nm.  These islands eventually developed into a porous gold metal layer.  For more information, see the paper, �gInitial corrosion observed on the atomic scale�h, F. U. Renner et al., Nature, 439, 707-710 (2006).
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Novel synchrotron X-ray diffraction technique for observing GaAs surface (February 8, 2006)

At SPring-8, Harima Japan, Dr. M. Takahasi (Japan Atomic Energy Agency) and his coworkers have recently established a powerful surface X-ray diffraction tool for observing the growth process of semiconductor-like GaAs.  The main feature of the method is the use of multi-energy X-rays, and because of this, it is possible to identify both the atomic arrangements and the type of atoms.  Another significant advantage is the capability of real-time monitoring due to the employment of a brilliant undulator beam.  It was demonstrated that the surface structure called c(4x4), which is observed under certain growth conditions, has dimmers that consist of gallium and arsenic atoms in the top surface layer.  For more information, see the paper, �gElement-Specific Surface X-Ray Diffraction Study of GaAs(001)-c(4�~4)�h, M. Takahasi et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 055506 (2006).
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X-ray research for Tate exhibition reveals Constable's working practices (February 3, 2006)

The sketch for View on the Stour near Dedham, painted by Constable in 1822, has been analyzed by X-rays prior to Tate Britain�fs exhibition, Constable: the Great Landscapes, which opens on 1 June 2006.  The sketch is the 4th of the 6 large River Stour paintings that Constable exhibited at the Royal Academy during 1819-1825.  As with the other River Stour scenes, Constable made a preliminary full-scale compositional sketch in oils when planning the exhibition picture.  The X-ray investigation clearly shows that the sketch originally included two boys fishing by the water�fs edge and a little girl close to one of the wooden beams marking the edge of a boat-building yard in the foreground.  These figures were then painted out of the sketch by Constable and replaced by two young boys sitting on the edge of the river bank.  In the finished exhibition painting, View on the Stour near Dedham, Constable altered the composition again and did not include the two boys from the sketch.  X-ray analysis has successfully revealed a number of such alterations that are not visible on the surface of the work.  For more information, contact Helen Beeckmans/Patricia O'Connor, Tate Press Office, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG, Phone: +44-20-7887-8730/32, Fax: +44-20-7887-8729, pressoffice@tate.org.uk
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New opportunities in structure of metallic glass - X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy assisted by reverse Monte Carlo computation (January 26, 2006)

Professor E. Ma (Johns Hopkins University, USA) and his colleagues recently succeeded in explaining the atomic packing of metallic glasses, which are of great importance due to their distinctive mechanical and magnetic properties.  The structure is known as 'amorphous' (non-crystalline) and shows no sharp Bragg peaks in the X-ray diffraction pattern.  The research group adopted quite a unique strategy; first, they aimed at obtaining 3D pictures in the short-to-medium range, unlike conventional atomic-level analysis, which looks only at short-range order, and secondly, they did not resort to a predetermined structural model but used reverse Monte Carlo simulations based on experimental X-ray diffraction and absorption data.  One of their key findings was that metallic glass atoms do not arrange themselves in a completely random way. Instead, groups of 7-15 atoms tend to arrange themselves around a central atom, forming 3D shapes called Kasper polyhedra, which join together in unique ways as small nanometer-scale clusters.  For more information, see the paper, �gAtomic packing and short-to-medium-range order in metallic glasses�h, H. W. Sheng et al., Nature, 439, 419-425 (2006).
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British and Chinese synchrotron facilities sign up to future collaboration (February 20, 2006)

Diamond Light Source Ltd, the UK's next-generation synchrotron facility, and the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF)/Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on collaborative research.  Diamond will start operations in January 2007, and SSRF plans to do so 2 years later.  This collaboration is part of the UK-China Partners in Science series of activities in China, a joint initiative backed by both the UK and the Chinese governments to increase scientific collaboration between the two countries.  For more information on UK-China Partners in Science, visit http://www.uk.cn/science
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The Pittsburgh Conference announced that Pittcon 2007 will be moved from New Orleans to Chicago; the dates of the event are February 25 to March 1, 2007.  At the same time, the Committee confirmed its commitment to return the Conference to New Orleans in 2008 as planned.  With over 20,000 attendees and 1,100 exhibitors, Pittcon is the largest annual scientific meeting of its kind.  More information about Pittcon can be found at www.pittcon.org.
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PHOENIX II : SECTRO's new polarized XRF benchtop analyzer (March 13, 2006)

SPECTRO Analytical Instruments, a unit of AMETEK, Inc. has announced the launch of the PHOENIX II benchtop polarized XRF analyzer.  The spectrometer combines a 48kV tube and polarized source X-rays with a rugged gas-filled proportional counter detection system, giving better performance for light elements such as Mg, Al and Si as well as S and Cl.  The counter design yields a high X-ray count rate throughput and makes use of X-ray filters to separate the spectral peaks of elements with adjacent atomic numbers.  For further information, contact Tom Milner, Phone: +49-2821-892-2102, Fax: +49-2821-892-2200, info@spectro.com
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Bruker AXS launches S8 TIGER XRF spectrometer (March 13, 2006)

Bruker AXS Inc. has announced the launch of its new S8 TIGER, wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) X-ray spectrometer for various industrial applications, including petrochemistry, cement and mining.  Besides being capable of analyzing all elements from Be to U in a wide variety of sample types, the analyzer comes with unique features like TouchControl^TM (facile and fail-safe operation) and SampleCare^TM (automatic recognition of liquid sample and protection/sealing).  For further information, contact Michael Willett, Investor Relations Officer, Phone: +1-978-663-3660, ext. 1411, ir@bruker-biosciences.com, http://www.bruker-axs.de/
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PANalytical launches Axios-Metals (February 28, 2006)

PANalytical has extended its range of industry specific, wavelength-dispersive, sequential XRF spectrometers with the launch of the new Axios-Metals system, configured specifically to meet the needs of the steel and metals industries.  The spectrometer comes with specially prepared NiFeCo-FP and/or Cu-base-FP software, and the following are viewed as promising applications; production of copper-, aluminum- and titanium-based alloys, iron and steel production including slag analysis at blast furnace and control of incoming goods, precious metal production, soldering alloy production, and monitoring scrap metal and unknown material (including environmental samples).  For more information, Phone: +31-546-534444, Fax: +31-546-534592, info@panalytical.com, http://www.panalytical.com/
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Shimadzu releases inspeXio, a compact X-ray CT system (January 11, 2006)

Shimadzu has announced the release of inspeXio, an X-ray CT system for non-destructive inspection in industries as well as academic investigation, mainly in the Japanese market.  The most important feature is its compact size (W830�~D601�~H587mm, 250kg).  The system employs a 10 W X-ray tube and a flat panel detector of 50mm�~50mm.  For more information, Phone: +81-3-3219-5641, Fax: +81-3-3219-5710, imdsci05@shimadzu.co.jp
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2006 Pittcon Heritage Award - M. Horiba (March 12, 2006)

Masao Horiba, founder of HORIBA, Ltd., has been selected as the recipient of the 2006 Pittcon Heritage Award.  The company was founded in 1953, following Mr Horiba�fs pioneering and successful instrumentation of PH meters and infrared gas analyzers.  Later the business expanded successfully and is now one of leading analytical and measurement companies in the world.  This year�fs award is the 27th, and Mr Horiba is the 1st non-American recipient.  The award is jointly sponsored by the Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy (Pittcon) and the Chemical Heritage Foundation.  This award recognizes outstanding individuals whose entrepreneurial careers shaped the instrumentation community, inspired achievement, promoted public understanding of the modern instrumentation sciences, and highlighted the role of analytical chemistry in world economies.  The award is presented annually at a special ceremony during Pittcon.  The recipient�fs name and achievements are added to a roster of Pittcon Hall of Fame members that includes such industry pioneers as Arnold Beckman, Robert Finnigan, Chester Fisher, Aaron Martin, James Waters, and others.

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SpectroscopyNow.com

For additional news about X-ray analysis and other spectroscopy sciences, browse the Wiley website.

Kenji Sakurai
Director, X-Ray Physics Group, National Institute for
Materials Science (NIMS)
and Professor, Doctoral Program in Materials Science and
Engineering, Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences,
 University of Tsukuba
1-2-1, Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047 Japan
Phone : +81-29-859-2821, Fax : +81-29-859-2801
sakurai@yuhgiri.nims.go.jp
http://www.nims.go.jp/xray/lab/