Overview

MATLine is a dedicated materials science beamline at ASTRID2, the synchrotron radiation facility at Aarhus University. Designed for surface science experiments under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions, MATLine enables state-of-the-art investigations in materials science, surface physics, surface catalysis, and organic molecule interactions on surfaces.

The beamline is equipped with a Scienta electron energy analyzer and an SX-700 monochromator, ensuring high-precision spectroscopic measurements. With the use of a multipole wiggler, MATLine provides a tunable energy range from 20 eV to 700 eV, with extensions up to 1000 eV for specialized experiments.

The beamline is particularly suitable for studying:

• Thin films, nanomaterials, and bulk surfaces
• Semiconductors, metals, and metal oxides
• Organic molecules and molecular assemblies on surfaces
• Catalytic materials and functional coatings

Key Capabilities

MATLine supports a wide range of synchrotron-based surface analysis techniques, including:

• Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS)

  • Probing the electronic structure of materials using ultraviolet light.
  • Used for work function measurements and studying electronic states.

• X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)

  • Analyzing elemental composition, oxidation states, and chemical environments.
  • Essential for surface chemistry and interface studies.

• Photoelectron Diffraction (PED)

  • Determining atomic arrangements at surfaces by measuring diffraction patterns of emitted photoelectrons.
  • Useful for crystallographic studies of thin films.

• Near-Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy (NEXAFS)

  • Investigating electronic transitions and chemical bonding states.
  • Provides insight into molecular orientation on surfaces.

iMAT Users and Research Areas

MATLine has been utilized by multiple iMAT-affiliated researchers for advanced materials characterization. Some of the users include:

• Department of Physics and Astronomy 

           Prof. Yong Chen, Prof. Liv Hornekær, Dr. Simon E. Wall

• Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO)

           Prof. Jeppe Vang Lauritsen, Prof. Mingdong Dong

MATLine has also supported additional sample testing and analysis for various research groups associated with iMAT in the past. The facility is particularly suited for solid-state materials, including powders, thin films, metals, semiconductors, and surface-modified materials.