User Fees and Information

Schedule and Fees

The K-Alpha is scheduled in 5-hour sessions each day. The cost of a session depends on whether the research is for academic purposes, whether the user is from Rutgers and whether XPS facility staff is involved in the data acquisition and processing. These fees help offset the maintenance costs of the facility.

Sample preparation

Sample Size and Mounting

The K-Alpha sample holder is a 6cm x 6cm aluminum platform. Samples are held down by metallic clips which keep the surface of each sample grounded. Samples should be less than 0.5 cm in thickness in order to safely fit in the chamber. Other sample holders are available for powder analysis or for measurements that require sample rotation (e.g. ARXPS).

Compatible Samples

All samples should be compatible with an ultra-high vacuum environment. Samples that are solution processed should be dried in an oven or desiccator before being loaded into the vacuum chamber to prevent outgassing. Samples with a high zinc metal content should also be avoided since zinc has a high vapor pressure. Powder samples and certain ceramics can be hydroscopic and may require pumping in the load lock for 1 hour or more to remove water. Users should use gloves when handling their samples or sample holders in order to avoid exposing the vacuum chamber to oils from their skin.

System Capabilities

The K-Alpha is a state of the art XPS system with a powerful x-ray source and an instrumental resolution of 0.5 eV. A full description of its capabilities is available here.