Supervisor : Dr Richard Ambrosi (rma8@le.ac.uk) and Dr Graeme Hansford (gmh14@le.ac.uk)

Details of Project

Schematic Configuration of the Novel XRD Technique

The Space Research Centre has a growing portfolio of research projects and instrument development programmes in planetary science. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies are an important part of this portfolio, and a student starting in 2012 will have the opportunity to be involved in an exciting new XRD project. A novel XRD technique, invented at the Space Research Centre, has the unique characteristic of unprecedented insensitivity to the sample morphology, and can therefore be applied to whole rocks with no or only minimal preparation. This characteristic, together with the simplicity of the method, contrasts with conventional techniques which require samples ground to a fine powder and positioned with sub-millimetre accuracy. The method is therefore ideal for planetary science and also has clear potential for terrestrial applications in portable/hand-held XRD.

To date, the new technique has been developed theoretically and through modelling. Some basic proof-of-principle experiments, using a significantly non-optimised set-up, have been performed to confirm feasibility, the results of which are shown in one of the figures. A dedicated test chamber is currently being designed and constructed, and will be used by the student for a thorough performance investigation using a variety of mineral samples and mixtures, and analogues of planetary rock and soil samples. The student will also be involved in the development of data analysis algorithms, and the combination of laboratory results and data analysis will form a strong PhD thesis.

Proof-of-principle Experimental Results using a Quartz Powder Pellet. The peaks in the range 3-7 keV are diffraction peaks (except those labelled 55Fe). The spectra show remarkable insensitivity to gross changes in the sample position : a 45 degree tilt, and a 28mm shift.

This project represents a rare opportunity for a student to be involved in, and influence the direction of, the development of a novel analysis technique from an early stage.