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Ultrafast laser switching in a photochromic film visualised by time-resolved X-ray diffraction
A [2+2] photo-cycloaddition reaction in an organic crystal film was triggered by a fast laser pulse and studied with X-ray diffraction. This reaction and its thermally-activated reverse reaction were followed on the picosecond timescale, and intricate details of the reaction kinetics were revealed. … (09-02-2010)
A new perspective for understanding the mechanisms of catalytic conversion
PRESS RELEASE - The oxidation of toxic carbon monoxide (CO) to carbon dioxide occurs every day in millions of cars. Despite being one of the most studied catalytic processes, the exact mechanism of interaction between the carbon monoxide molecule and the catalyst, often platinum, is not fully unders… (09-02-2010)
Germany meets Grenoble
On 27 and 28 January 2010, the European research institutes in Grenoble ESRF, ILL and EMBL hosted the 1st Innovation Forum Germany @ Grenoble, organised on behalf of Germany’s Research Ministry, BMBF. Nearly 40 managers of German SMEs, technology transfer companies and research centres gathered fo… (29-01-2010)
X-ray beam transverse coherence analysis using near-field scattering
A new method to map the two-dimensional transverse coherence function of an undulator X-ray beam is proposed. It is based on near-field speckles generated by the interference between perfectly spherical scattered waves from a colloidal suspension and the partially coherent transmitted beam.… (29-01-2010)
A different kind of memory in Ge-Sb-Te memory alloys
Phase-change materials such as Ge-Sb-Te (GST) memory alloys are used in rewritable optical memory devices such as CDs and DVDs. In such applications, changes due to temperature are used to store data. But these materials also undergo structural transformation under pressure, with a surprising result… (13-01-2010)
Electronic structure of ligand orbitals revealed by valence-to-core X-ray emission
The electron orbitals of ligands in 3d transition metal complexes can be studied by means of X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES). A comprehensive experimental and theoretical study of the X-ray emission from the valence band of Mn coordination complexes was carried out. The spectra provide a signat… (22-12-2009)
Pinning down the defects of silicon solar panels
Many of the rooftops of new apartment blocks in Europe these days are covered by solar panels that aim at picking up the rays of the sun and converting them into energy. New guidelines point this as a cheap way of producing clean energy. Despite the success of solar panels, there is still room for a… (19-01-2010)
Time-resolved studies feature in latest ESRFnews
Experiments over time are currently carried out on several beamlines at the ESRF. This research is also one of the five key areas defining the core of the Upgrade Programme. The last ESRFnews of the year is dedicated to this subject. … (16-12-2009)
Studying atomic dynamics with coherent X-rays
Solids may not be as stationary at the atomic level as they appear to be when viewed at the macroscopic scale. At only slightly elevated temperatures, the atoms already begin to exchange their places. Recently, this diffusion of a solid's atoms was measured for the first time using coherent X-r… (09-12-2009)
The Independent on a visit to Grenoble
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