Croucher Synchrotron Summer Course Report – Mingyu Luo (2024, DPhil Inorganic Chemistry)

In the past few decades, many exciting scientific discoveries have been made using second and third generation synchrotron radiation (SR) or light facilities around the world. More powerful fourth generation sources are on the horizon including the planned construction of the Shenzhen Synchrotron Radiation Facility with a dedicated Hong Kong beamline.

The applicational potential and benefits of existing and future SR facilities are well known but only exploited by a few research scientists in the Greater Bay Area. The Croucher Synchrotron Radiation Summer Course is an annual synchrotron radiation course organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. It aims to provide training in synchrotron radiation skills and research exchange opportunities for early-career researchers (graduate students and PhD candidates). This year’s course was held at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University from June 17 to June 21.

Attending the Croucher Synchrotron Radiation Summer Course was an incredibly enriching experience. Over the span of five days, I gained comprehensive insights into synchrotron radiation (SR) techniques and their applications in cutting-edge scientific research. The course began with an introduction to the fundamentals of synchrotron science, emphasizing the advancements in fourth-generation SR facilities and their potential in materials science research.

We delved into various SR techniques, including X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), crystallography, X-ray scattering, and diffraction, as well as soft X-ray and photoelectron spectroscopy. The practical tutorials on data processing, analysis, and beamline applications were particularly valuable, providing hands-on experience that bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

A highlight of the course was the visit to the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF), where we observed the operation of state-of-the-art SR equipment and interacted with leading scientists in the field. This visit not only reinforced our learning but also offered a tangible understanding of SR technology in real-world research settings.

The course facilitated meaningful interactions with experts and peers, fostering a collaborative environment that encouraged the exchange of ideas and potential future research collaborations. Overall, the Croucher Synchrotron Radiation Summer Course significantly enhanced my technical skills and deepened my understanding of synchrotron radiation, inspiring me to further explore its applications in my research endeavors.

Published: 26 September 2024

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