NFYK12004U Applications of X-ray and Neutron Scattering in Biology, Chemistry and Physics

Volume 2024/2025
Content

With the upcoming facilities MAX-VI and ESS in Lund the overall goal of this course is to make students aware of the potential of these large-scale facilities on their own research. By following this course the students will:

  • be introduced by top experts to scattering methods, including diffraction, small angle scattering, imaging, and inelastic neutron scattering
  • be introduced to imaging applications in Medical Physics
  • be aware of the latest applications of neutron and X-rays in Biology, Soft Matter, Materials Chemistry and Physics
  • develop an intuitive view of the application of these scattering methods to solve their own research questions
  • have access to hands-on exercises, including proposal writing, experiments, data analysis and presentation of data
  • participate in hands-on experiments at the DTU Imaging facility
  • have a tour of ESS and MAX-IV facilities in Lund, Sweden
Learning Outcome

Skills:

The student will develop a solid knowledge (i) of the basic concepts of scattering and imaging and (ii) of different experimental scattering and imaging methods and respective data analysis.

 

Knowledge:

  •  Be oriented on the basic physical principles for X-ray and neutron scattering and imaging
  •  Be oriented on basic experimental methods used at large scale facilities
  •  Understand elastic, inelastic, coherent and incoherent scattering processes
  •  Be oriented in how scattering and imaging techniques can be applied to soft materials and hard condensed matter

 

Competences:

  •  Be able to participate in experiments at large scale facilities
  •  Be able to perform simple data analysis on data from large scale facilities
  • Be able to apply scattering and imaging techniques to own research
  • Be able to write his/her own application for beam time for a large scale facility
Literature

Lecture notes plus provided articles and book chapters.

Basic knowledge in solid-state physics and understanding of scattering techniques is advisable. If the student does not have such knowledge she/he should contact the course responsible asking for basic literature.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
Full days (8 hours incl. lunch) with alternating lectures, and problem solving sessions, experiments and data analysis. The course includes a trip to Lund to visit ESS and MAX-IV. If experiments take place at MAX-IV, there may be night work for some groups.
1. Simple math exercises will be posted online one week before the course starts to allow the students to revise very basic concepts. Basic math classes on fundamental concepts will also be offered during the first two days of the course.
2. To facilitate full participation in the course, a short-bio describing the students’ scientific interests is highly recommended. This information should be posted during the week preceding the course start. An example will be posted in Absalon.
3. A list of guest lectures will be posted in Absalon when the course page becomes available.
4. The course is run in collaboration between University of Copenhagen and The Technical University of Denmark.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 50
  • Preparation
  • 50
  • Theory exercises
  • 26
  • Practical exercises
  • 20
  • E-Learning
  • 20
  • Exam
  • 40
  • Total
  • 206
Individual

Feedback will be given during individual meetings, where the teacher responsible discusses in a one-to-one setting with the student. The goal is to adjust expectations to build confidence and inquisitive experience throughout the course.

Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, two weeks
Type of assessment details
A final report, based either on experiments or a beam time proposal, must be written, and approved.
Exam registration requirements

The student must participate 80 % of the time, make an oral presentation during the course as well as deliver the report described under type of assessment.

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners (including the course responsibles)
Re-exam

If 80% participation is attained, and the submitted report is not approved, a new written report must be submitted. The deadline for the submission of the revised reports is to be agreed between the student and the course responsible, but should not exceed 30 days after the negative assessment result is communicated to the student.

Criteria for exam assesment

See Learning Outcome