5th CENEM Summer School for X-ray Scattering

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How can nanoparticles or thin films be characterized using scattering methods?

These and other questions were answered in the 5th CENEM Summer School for X-ray Scattering which took place from 29th July to 1st August 2019 at the Institute for Crystallography and Structural Physics (ICSP) in Erlangen. During detailed morning lectures the theoretical background of scattering and insights into a variety of modern X-ray scattering techniques were provided. The main topics were X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS), X-ray reflectometry (XRR), grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering and grazing incidence diffraction (GISAXS/GIXD). A highlight was the talk by Dr. Philipp Gutfreund, who gave a lecture on neutron reflectometry and his work at the large-scale facility ILL in Grenoble.

In the afternoon, in small groups of 4 persons, real sample systems were measured at our state-of-the-art instruments and evaluated in hands-on trainings to put the theoretical knowledge into practice. The Summer School ended with a barbecue where discussions and laughter were continued until late in the evening and future cooperations were planned. We thank Anton Paar for sponsoring and we thank the organizing committee and the involved members of ICSP as well as the EAM office for their engaged work and support that led to the great success of the Summer School 2019.