Large Facilities: Synchrotron and Neutron Sources Field of study: Biophysics
Programme code: W4-S2BFA21.2022

Module name: Large Facilities: Synchrotron and Neutron Sources
Module code: W4-2BF-MB-21-11
Programme code: W4-S2BFA21.2022
Semester:
  • summer semester 2024/2025
  • summer semester 2023/2024
  • summer semester 2022/2023
Language of instruction: English
Form of verification: exam
ECTS credits: 5
Description:
The purpose of this unit is to learn the basics of facilities such as synchrotrons and spallation sources, and the kind of characterization techniques that they allow. Program: (1) Particle accelerators, synchrotron radiation, and neutron sources. (Basics of particle accelerators: general introduction, types of accelerators, methods of acceleration; circular accelerators, magnetic systems; main accelerator systems: RF, diagnostics; Beam characteristics. Generation of e.m. radiation: Bremsstrahlung, synchrotron radiation, characteristics and generation, insertion devices; beamlines and experiments: the Alba synchrotron; ion accelerators; spallation sources. (2) Data analysis and elementary scattering theory (Frequentist data analysis; data and errors: a statistical view; classical fitting methods; statistical distributions; hypothesis testing; Bayesian data analysis: Bayesian statistics and probability distribution functions; Bayes theorem, measurement, fitting functions; Markov Chain Montecarlo method; Model selection in Bayesian statistics; basics of X-ray and neutron scattering (Bragg Law; the phase problem; reflectometry and small-angle scattering; diffraction of liquids and amorphous materials; inelastic scattering: coherent and incoherent scattering, Van –Hoff functions. (3) Some synchrotron and Neutron applications (XRD and powder diffraction; EXAFS – XANES; hard X-ray synchrotron imaging Techniques; Neutron applications: inelastic neutrons scattering methods: Time of flight, Spin Echo, Backscattering; magnetism using neutrons; imaging using neutrons; specialized seminars by ALBA staff; practices at ALBA in the accelerators group: magnetic measurements, RF measurements, vacuum system
Prerequisites:
(no information given)
Key reading:
(no information given)
Learning outcome of the module Codes of the learning outcomes of the programme to which the learning outcome of the module is related [level of competence: scale 1-5]
students will be able to explain the basic functioning of a synchrotron radiation source and a spallation source, as well as the different properties that synchrotron light or neutrons can possess and how they can be tuned [MB_11_1]
 KBF_W02 [4/5]
students will be able to describe how synchrotron light and neutrons can be used to investigate the condensed matter, how collected data should be analyzed, and what information can be extracted from the data [MB_11_2]
 KBF_W04 [4/5] KBF_W10 [5/5] KBF_U09 [4/5]
students will be able to identify the advantages of using a large facility to perform experiments, and the most suitable technique to tackle a given experimental problem [MB_11_3]
 KBF_U11 [3/5] KBF_U13 [3/5] KBF_K06 [3/5]
Type Description Codes of the learning outcomes of the module to which assessment is related
exam [MB_11_w_1]
The evaluation will consist of a mark for small homework projects and exercises of each module (25%), and one for the final project (75%). The latter will consist of two marks, one for the written report and one for the oral presentation.
 MB_11_1 MB_11_2 MB_11_3
Form of teaching Student's own work Assessment of the learning outcomes
Type Description (including teaching methods) Number of hours Description Number of hours
lecture [MB_11_fs_1]
Detailed discussion by the lecturer of the issues listed in the table "module description" using the table and/or multimedia presentations
 45
Supplementary reading, working with the textbook, doing homework projects and exercises. Final project preparation
 80 exam [MB_11_w_1]
Attachments
Module description (PDF)
Information concerning module syllabuses might be changed during studies.
Syllabuses (USOSweb)
Semester Module Language of instruction
(no information given)