Papers by Author: Matteo Ortolani

Abstract: The main instrumental characteristics of MCX, the new beamline at the Italian synchrotron Elettra in Trieste, are presented. Design and geometrical set-up are well suited to the X-ray diffraction stress and texture analysis of thin films and surfaces, and are such to guarantee a full control of the main instrumental errors. Besides exploiting the typical features of synchrotron radiation, like high brilliance, tuneable beam energy and optimal beam geometry, MCX can also host tools for in-situ studies, like X-ray diffraction during four point bending. A few examples of current applications are shown.

Abstract: The basics of the Whole Powder Pattern Modeling and its implementation in the PM2K software are briefly reviewed. The main features and functionalities, and most common line broadening models are introduced with the aid of working examples related to the instrumental profile and to a plastically deformed metal. A summary of the main expressions is reported in the appendix, together with a list of useful references.

Abstract: A new software was developed for the X-ray stress analysis of textured materials, especially useful in the case of thin films and coating. Literature data for a sputtered Cu thin film were used as a test case. Good agreement with the published results was found considering a grain interaction mechanism based on the combination of four models (Ruess/Voigt/Vook-Witt/inverse Vook-Witt). A similar value for the in-plane residual stress was obtained by the Eshelby-Kröner model, by optimizing the grain aspect-ratio. Main features and numerical/graphic output are briefly discussed.