The X-ray Diffraction Core Facility provides equipment and expertise dedicated to the structural characterization of materials. It allows for the analysis of matter organization, the identification of present phases, and access to detailed information on mechanical state and microstructure, from bulk volume to thin films.
Services and areas of application
Analysis of polycrystalline samples (XRD)
The facility performs diffraction measurements on polycrystalline samples to:
- identify phases and characterize crystalline composition;
- monitor transformations (heat treatments, aging, manufacturing cycles);
- compare series of samples and monitor repeatability.
SAXS (Small-Angle X-ray Scattering)
SAXS measurements allow for the study of organization at the nanometric scale, specifically to:
- analyze the size, shape, and distribution of nanostructures;
- characterize porous materials, composites, or structured polymers.
Surface and thin film measurements
Grazing incidence: residual stress, textures
Grazing incidence diffraction is used to study layers near the surface in order to:
- measure residual stresses;
- determine textures and preferred orientations;
- investigate the impact of processes (machining, surface treatments, coatings, additive manufacturing, etc.).
X-ray Reflectometry
Reflectometry complements these analyses to characterize thin films, including:
- thickness(es) and stacking;
- interfacial roughness;
- electron density (an indicator of compactness).
High-resolution diffraction
The facility offers high-resolution diffraction measurements to access detailed information on:
- crystalline state (defects, microstresses, lattice parameters);
- subtle variations in structure or composition;
- materials with complex microstructures requiring high measurement precision.
Who is it for?
The facility is intended for:
- research teams (projects, theses, publications);
- industrial partners (R&D, control/validation, process comparison);
- projects requiring reliable and reproducible structural characterization.
Access terms
Depending on the need, the facility can provide:
- measurement services (preparation, acquisition, first-level analysis);
- support (choice of protocols, interpretation, test campaigns).
Contact
To determine feasibility and the most suitable protocol for your sample, please contact: