Centorr Series 10 graphite tube furnace

Advanced analytical equipment capable of probing the nanostructure of materials is available at Curtin through the John de Laeter Centre (AUD$5m+ equipment) and associated organisations including,

• Electron microscopes - multiple SEM (SE, BSE, CL, EDS, EBSD, focused ion beam milling), HRTEM (FEI TALOS, JEOL F200)

• X-ray diffraction/spectroscopy - D8 Advanced XRD Cu, D8 Discover XRD Co, in-situ XRD Cu, XPS Kratos AXIS ULtra DLD, EDX

• Mass spectrometry - ToF-SIMS, ICP-MS

• Atomic probe Microscopy - NanoScope IIIE, Dimension 3000, PicoSTM, PicoAFM, Nanosurf.

• Optical spectroscopy - Bruker IFS66 Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, Dilor Labram 1B dispersive Raman spectrometer (514, 633 & 785 nm excitation).

High-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) is used to deposit amorphous carbon thin films and metal films. This is a custom built unit that delivers extremely high-quality films. We can deposit in DC mode like a common sputter coating system or using the pulsed power supply enabling high concentration tetrahedral carbon films to be prepared. 

Tucker, M. D., Ganesan, R., McCulloch, D. G., Partridge, J. G., Stueber, M., Ulrich, S., ... & Marks, N. A. (2016). Mixed-mode high-power impulse magnetron sputter deposition of tetrahedral amorphous carbon with pulse-length control of ionization. Journal of applied physics, 119(15).

Tucker, M. D., Putman, K. J., Ganesan, R., Lattemann, M., Stueber, M., Ulrich, S., ... & Marks, N. A. (2017). The behaviour of arcs in carbon mixed-mode high-power impulse magnetron sputtering. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 50(14), 145205.

The DektakXT stylus surface profiler is an advanced thin and thick film step height measurement and roughness tool with the following characteristics:

• Equipment compatible with 2”, 4”, 6” and 8” wafers

• Selectable magnification, 1 to 4mm FOV

• Scan Length Range 55 mm with stitching option

• Vertical range 1 mm

• Step-height repeatability of 5A

• N-Lite+ Low Force with 0.03 to 15mg

• Only 2D scans available.

We have priority access to the largest public supercomputer in Australia the Pawsey Supercomputer Centre. The newest cluster Setonix is the 4th greenest supercomputer in the world using geothermal cooling and solar power. We have worked with companies to solve materials science problems using computational tools. Some of the tools we are experts in include;

• The formation and transformations of materials through time can be simulated with molecular dynamics. We have developed one of the most flexible forcefield for carbon, called EDIP, enabling nanocarbon virtual experiments to be conducted. We also developed forcefields for other materials. We use GULP and LAMMPS as software packages.  GULP being developed in the Computational Materials Group at Curtin University.

• We use quantum mechanics to solve problems associated with materials and molecular properties. We routinely use VASP, ORCA, Gaussian software packages. 

Data visualisation is critical for us to understand complex materials such as disordered carbons. These visualisation tools are not simply outreach tools but are integral for discoveries in materials science. For more details on how we used these tools to discover how graphite forms listen to this podcast Dr Martin did with the ABC. A video presentation to the right was given on the use of these visualisation approaches in materials science research.

• Hub for Immersive eResearch - multiple 3D immersive displays are available at the Curtin HIVE. The cylinder display is most often used with 180 degrees floor to ceiling display. The software MDV was developed in Unity for displaying atomistic structures within the HIVE and enables dynamic simulations to be visualised. There is significant expertise in 3D filmmaking, unity development and virtual reality headsets that we also are supported with. 

• Virtual reality data visualisation using open-source software - We have 4 VR headsets (Occulus) with more available from the HIVE. We have experience using commercial software to visualise mesh based, point cloud and atomisitic data. These software packages include Nanome for atomistic models, GravitySketch for mesh-based data STL files and Paraview for volumetric data.

• Software development in virtual reality - With support from the HIVE and our creative fellow Dr Andrea Rassell who is a filmmaker specialising in the nanoscale. The VR software Carbon Nanoverse was developed in the software Unity by our student Callum Wood. This tools enables us to study large scale models of carbon nanostructures. It has also been exhibited in multiple venues including prisons in WA, international conferences and the Science Gallery Bengaluru, in India.

• Microfactory for Additive Manufacturing - Within the John de Laeter Centre we have a significant facility for additive manufacuring. This allows us to develop 3D models of simulations as well as prototype parts for experimental apparatus. We have multiple fused deposition modelling printers, sterolithography printers and even a metal 3D printer. There are two full time staff members that support the microfactory enabling high quality parts to be prepared. We also have 3D scanning capabilities using photogrammetry and laser sheet scanning.

We are developing a laser spectroscopy laboratory with the hydrogen storage research group for Raman detection of hydrogen, Raman spectroscopy and optical pyrometry measurements. We also plan to be able to calibrate ultra-high temperature optical sensors. 

• Detectors - laser power meter, single-photon detectors, time tagger for LIDAR with spectroscopy for hydrogen detection.

• Pyrometry calibration - Metis M311 SensorTherm capable of measuring to 3300 °C with camera accessory. Reference IR bulbs from Newport for spectrometer calibration.

• Spectrometers - Flame ocean optics USB spectrometer, Raman spectrometer Ocean Optics HR UV, 3D printed custom spectrometers.

• Lasers - Two UV lasers (266 nm and 355 nm).