Project Info

X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Simulator

A new X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) machine at Mines has come online with advanced capabilities as one-of-a-kind apparatus. XPS provides fundamental ways to affect and probe physics and chemistry of materials. This project seeks to expand and improve an open source XPS simulation tool that could allow for a wider range of people to study XPS around the world. This experience will also introduce students to exciting technologies based in solid state physics and chemistry such as photovoltaics, catalysis, water splitting and energy storage.

Elucidate the interdisciplinary nature of the project

Chemistry, physics and computer science are all part of the XPS simulator project. Chemistry from solid state chemical bonds. Physics from the photoemission and electronic interactions with matter. Computer science as the building blocks of the simulator.

More Information

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XPS

https://xpssimplified.com/

Grand Engineering Challenge: Engineer the tools of scientific discovery

Student Preparation

Qualifications

Some programming skills, and major in one area of science.

Time Commitment

10 hours/week

Skills/Techniques Gained

The student will do a mix of personal learning and problem solving to develop and improve previous students’ work on the simulator. It is expected that the student will study the existing code until they gain a fundamental understanding of the Python code as well as two other fee based XPS simulator tools.

Learning about XPS and how to analyze XPS data.
• Python skills: At the end of this term the goal is for the student to have a strong foundation in understanding XPS and the data received from it. The student will also have a very strong knowledge of how the current coding works and will be prepared to work from and add to it in the following semester.
• Open Education Resource: The project will culminate in a initial version release as open freely downloadable software in an open repository such as github, with instruction manual, and three guided “experiments.”

Mentoring Plan

We have weekly team meetings and project updates. These can be virtual or in person.