A X-ray facility consisting of a rotating anode X-ray generator and two different diffraction systems on opposite sides of the generator will be acquired with the funds from the Academic Research Infrastructure Program. One diffraction unit will be a 4-circle diffractometer for accurate lattice parameter and structural determinations of thin films, single crystals, and powder samples. A second diffraction unit will involve an advanced 2-dimensional array detector for small angle X-ray scattering from biological and thin film samples. The facility will be employed to study: 1) the structure of lanthanide endohedral fulleneres and fullerene-encapsulated metal clusters, the study of low-dimensional mixed-valence compounds associated with superconduct-ivity and and charge density waves, 3) various properties of the unique van der Waals C60 solids, 4) magnetic multilayer thin films, 5) diamond thin films prepared by chemical vapor deposition and ion- implantation techniques, 6) growth of thin ferroelectric films on crystalline and amorphous substrates, 7) genetic features of regulatory proteins and the biochemistry and biology of repressor proteins, 8) the thermodynamic properties of natural minerals. A modern X-ray facility with two types of diffractometers will be employed to study a diverse range of materials by scientists in the Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Biosciences, Materials Science and Geology Departments. The materials studied will include fullerenes, diamond thin films, repressor proteins, magnetic multilayers, ferroelectric thin films, and natural minerals.
