News
MXenes for energy storage: Chemical imaging more than just surface deep
Scanning X-ray microscopy (SXM) at MAXYMUS beamline of BESSY II enables the characterization of layered materials in complex systems:
A new method in spectromicroscopy significantly improves the study of chemical reactions at the nanoscale, both on surfaces and inside layered materials. Scanning X-ray microscopy (SXM) at MAXYMUS beamline of BESSY II…
IKZ and Bruker Nano demonstrate a new X-ray topography method
Non-destructive, high-throughput identification of defects in high-quality single crystals can be facilitated:
The IKZ in cooperation with Bruker Nano GmbH, Berlin, demonstrate that high-resolution energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence mapping devices based on a micro focused beam are not restricted to high-speed analyses of…
Alkanes, laser flashes and BESSY's X-ray vision
An international research team has succeeded in observing an intermediate step in the catalysis of alkanes:
An international research team has succeeded in observing an intermediate step in the catalysis of alkanes. By understanding these reactions, existing catalysts can be optimized in the future and new ones found, for…
Dynamic measurements in liquids now possible in the laboratory
Newly developed laboratory spectrometer works with a plasma light source and provides a time resolution of 500 picoseconds:
A team of researchers in Berlin has developed a laboratory spectrometer for analysing chemical processes in solution - with a time resolution of 500 ps. This is of interest not only for the study of molecular…
Successful start of the BMBF project "UV-KrisP - Coherent continuous wave radiation in vacuum UV"
IKZ and Fraunhofer IPM will develop a new crystal material together:
Over the next three years, the IKZ will develop a new crystal material together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM in Freiburg. This material is capable of generating laser radiation…
Prof. Dr. Joachim Sauer receives the Blaise Pascal Medal 2024 in Chemistry
European Academy of Sciences (EURASC) honours the renowned chemist for his outstanding research in the field of catalytic reactions:
Professor Joachim Sauer is honored with the Blaise Pascal Medal in Chemistry for his exceptional contributions to understanding catalytic reactions on the basis of quantum chemistry at all levels and through his…
FBH has developed a terahertz line scanner for plastic components
World's first line scanner with monolithically integrated terahertz detectors for industrial applications:
The Ferdinand-Braun-Institut has developed a terahertz line scanner for plastic components, enabling cost-effective realization of larger scan line lengths in industrial environments. For the first time, the…
IRIS beamline at BESSY II extended with nanomicroscopy
The new nanoscope enables nanospectroscopy and nanoimaging of structures smaller than a thousandth of the diameter of a human hair:
The IRIS infrared beamline at the BESSY II storage ring now offers a fourth option for characterising materials, cells and even molecules on different length scales. The team has extended the IRIS beamline with an end…
Hollow nanospheres as potential reference particles for medical biomarkers
PTB contributed to precise the accurate size characterisation of the particles in its laboratory at BESSY II using small-angle X-ray scattering:
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanometer-sized cell-derived particles in body fluids and can be used as potential biomarkers for diseases such as cancer, inflammation and cardiovascular disease. EVs gained a lot of…
Novel system for terahertz power measurements
The 300 GHz detector, developed in a Franco-German cooperation project with PTB, enables secure communication at 6G frequencies:
Until now, it has not been possible to measure the radiated power of millimeter waves in the terahertz spectral range in the so-called H-band with frequencies from 220 GHz to 330 GHz traceable to the International…
Prof. Clara Saraceno is honored with the International Fellowship Award 2024
The IKZ researcher receives the award for achievements in the field of oxide and fluoride dielectrics and laser crystals:
Oxide and fluoride crystals are pivotal in many different areas of photonics. They are well-suited host materials for laser-active ions, can serve in optical Faraday insulators and also for non-linear frequency…
The future of BESSY
What the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin is planning for the X-ray source in Adlershof:
At the end of February 2024, a team at HZB published an article in Synchrotron Radiation News (SRN). They describe the next development goals for the light source as well as the BESSY II+ upgrade programme and the…
New approach to detect ‘forever chemicals’ in water
A team of researchers from BAM and the University of Birmingham has developed a sensor to detect PFAS in water quickly and easily:
Scientists at the University of Birmingham in collaboration with scientists from the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) have developed a new approach for detecting pollution from ‘forever…
Focused ion beam technology: a single tool for a wide range of applications
Experts from the Fit4Nano project provide an overview of the state of research into finely focussed ion beams and a roadmap for future developments:
Processing materials on the nanoscale, producing prototypes for microelectronics or analysing biological samples: The range of applications for finely focused ion beams is huge. Experts from the EU collaboration…
40 Years of Metrology with Synchrotron Radiation at PTB
It all began with a publication on PTB's radiometry laboratory at the former Berlin storage ring BESSY I from 1983 and became a success story:
On November 14, 2023, the 322nd PTB Seminar on VUV and EUV Metrology hosted a commemorative event on "40 years of metrology with synchrotron radiation". The occasion was the first publication on PTB's radiometry…
New beamline for VUV radiometry
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt increases availability for different measurement tasks at the Metrology Light Source:
A new beamline for radiometry in the vacuum ultraviolet spectral range (VUVR) was successfully commissioned at the Metrology Light Source (MLS). By quickly redirecting the radiation to three different measuring…
In conversation with Dr Kathrin Buchholz
The environmental engineer is head of public relations at the Berlin-Brandenburg State Laboratory:
“Communication with a focus on science” is the metier of environmental engineer Kathrin Buchholz. She has worked for the scientific office of the Adlershof-based research network IGAFA, headed the business office of…
Happy Birthday BESSY II
A conversation about 25 years of the high-brilliance radiation source in Adlershof:
BESSY II is a synchrotron, a storage ring, a high-brilliance radiation source. Or as Bernd Rech puts it: a high-tech X-ray microscope. For 25 years, it has been helping researchers from all over the world to uncover…
Tomislav Stolar wins the Falling Walls Lab Adlershof
The BAM scientist presented an innovative approach to recycling plastics:
Within only three minutes the jury was convinced: Tomislav Stolar, scientist in the Structural Analysis Team at the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) won the Falling Walls Lab Adlershof. The North…
When does a battery get tired?
A research team from Adlershof is developing a reliable method for lithium-ion batteries:
When Dalia Morcillo hits buttons, the laboratory at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) starts to flash and squeak. The narrow room is jam-packed with scientific devices and measurement…