uri physics colloquium

Structure and dynamics of  soft matter probed by synchrotron radiation

Theyencheri Narayanan. Ph.D

ESRF – the European Synchrotron, 38043 Grenoble, France

abstract

In this seminar, I will give an overview of different possibilities offered by synchrotron scattering methods for the investigation of the structure and dynamics of soft matter and related biological systems in bulk and at interfaces. X-ray and neutron scattering are well established techniques for the elucidation of hierarchical structures in soft matter and noncrystalline biological specimen. Probing the dynamics in these systems is more challenging but in turn could provide a comprehensive understanding of the underlying nanostructure not easily accessible by other methods. This will be illustrated by several examples such as the self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules in solution, the self-organization of nanoparticles at interfaces, the non-diffusive dynamics in complex systems, etc.  Finally, major synchrotrons all over the world are planning complete upgrade of their electron storage ring.  The order of magnitude increase in brightness and degree of coherence expected from these upgrades are likely to open new avenues in the investigation of soft matter and biological systems by scattering and imaging methods.