Materials Science

Mission Statement

The principal aim of the research programme of the Applied Physics-Materials Science group is to search for the relation between the microstructure of materials and its physical properties. The programme concentrates on experimental and theoretical work of the characterization of line defects
(dislocations and disclinations) and homo-/heterophase interfaces so as to draw conclusions about the correlation between atomic structure, electronic charge transfer, and physical properties, both structural and functional.

The main experimental tools to unravel the microstructural features are ultra high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (PEELS, EDS and imaging filtering GIF200TM), local probe microscopy (AFM and TOF-(I)AP-FIM), UHV-scanning electron/scanning Auger microscopy (SEM/SAM), environmental and high-resolution low-voltage scanning electron microscopy with EBSD/OIM.

In our research efforts a strong emphasis is put on the combination of both structural and chemical information at various length scales, as well as on in-situ dynamic studies rather than static microscopic observations. Keeping in mind the rather non-linear behavior of defects, in-situ dynamic studies at various levels of resolution have proved to be very essential for understanding microstructural evolution. The technique of HRTEM found its origin in the technique of phase contrast microscopy that was introduced by Frits Zernike of this University of Groningen for optical microscopy.

Group leader

Prof.dr. J.T.M. De Hosson, e-mail: j.t.m.de.hosson@rug.nl

Contact information

 

This group maintains its own web site.