Open AccessX‐ray absorption measurements on an ultrasonic spray aerosol
Author(s) -
Schlaf R.,
Höpfner B.,
Figueroa J.,
Tridas E.,
Welter E.,
Köhler T.,
Lauermann I.,
Fischer Ch.H.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of synchrotron radiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 99
ISSN - 1600-5775
DOI - 10.1107/s0909049511043068
Subject(s) - nebulizer , aerosol , deposition (geology) , absorption (acoustics) , materials science , analytical chemistry (journal) , ultrasonic sensor , layer (electronics) , chemical engineering , chemistry , nanotechnology , composite material , chromatography , acoustics , organic chemistry , medicine , paleontology , physics , sediment , engineering , biology , anesthesia
Spray deposition of thin films and coatings is a widely used manufacturing process owing to its low cost, versatility and simple implementation. The objective of the presented experiments was to investigate whether X‐ray absorption measurements on solutes carried by aerosols are possible, and what count rates can be achieved depending on solution flow through and the resulting mass density in the interrogation volume. The investigated prototypical spray aerosol was InCl 3 dissolved in water or ethanol dispersed via an ultrasonic nebulizer. InCl 3 spray is essential for the ion layer gas reaction process used for the deposition of In 2 S 3 buffer layers for highly efficient chalcopyrite solar cells. The discussed experiments demonstrate that measurements are possible, but that the achievement of good signal‐to‐noise ratios requires extended sampling times and concentrated solutions.