Uses of the Accelerator

The Accelerator at Hope is used primarily for material characterization for both academic and commercial audiences. Researchers at Hope College are using the accelerator in:

• Geological Studies:
  Sand Studies Using PIXE
  
  
• Paleontological Studies:

  Characterization of a Dinosaur Site
  
  
• Chemical Studies:
  Electrochemically Produced Biosensors
  
  
• Environmental Studies:
  Detection of Metals in Lake Sediment
  
  
• SemiConductor / Materials Studies:
  Optical and Electrical Properties of ScN
  Haynes-Shockley Experiment
  
  
• Forensic Studies:
  PIXE Analysis of Window Glass for Forensic Purposes

As well, commercial contacts have used the accelerator in a variety of material characterization studies. To learn more about what can be done, check out the brochure.

All of these studies use either Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) or Particle Induced X-Ray Emission (PIXE). For a detailed discussion of the science behind these techniques, check out the Harvard CAMS website.