Engineering topics
Ravel, B
Publications and source records attributed to Ravel, B.
Fitting EXAFS data using molecular dynamics outputs and a histogram approach
Not Available
An X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Study of the Cathodic Discharge of Ag2VO2PO4: Geometric and Electronic Structure Characterization of Intermediate Phases and Mechanistic Insights
Bimetallic phosphorus oxides have emerged as attractive candidates for use as cathode materials in the next generation of lithium-based batteries owing to the operation of multielectron transfer processes and thermochemical stabilities conferred by the incorporation of phosphate groups. In particular silver vanadium phosphorus oxide, Ag{sub 2}VO{sub 2}PO{sub 4}, shows a much desired in situ conductivity enhancement upon discharge resulting in inherently high power capability with minimal conductive additives needed. However, the amorphization of Ag{sub 2}VO{sub 2}PO{sub 4} during electrochemical discharge precludes the use of standard diffraction tools to monitor changes in the local electronic and geometric structure. Here, we have utilized a combination of V K-, V L-, Ag K-, and O K-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy to determine the local vanadium and silver oxidation states, local coordination geometry, and stoichiometry for Ag{sub 2}VO{sub 2}PO{sub 4} samples with varying extents of electrochemical lithiation. Soft X-ray V L- and O K-edge measurements provide a detailed orbital-specific picture of changes in vanadium electronic structure upon discharge.
Temperature-dependent Local Structure of LaFeAsO(1-x)F(x): Probing the Atomic Correlations
The local structure of the parent and doped LaFeAsO{sub 1-x}F{sub x} (pnictide) compounds were studied by x-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional methods. In the doped system, the Fe-As and Fe-Fe correlations are both well modeled by an Einstein model. For the Fe-As bonds, the Einstein temperatures are identical for the doped (11%) and undoped samples but the doped sample is found to have a lower level of static disorder. Doping is found to increases the effective Einstein temperature of Fe-Fe atomic correlation. The results suggest that the onset of superconductivity in the F doped system may be related to enhanced magnetic interactions. Density functional calculations of the total charge density reveal strong bonding between neighboring As ions but metal-like behavior in the Fe layers. It is also seen directly that the replacement of oxygen by fluorine modifies the electron charge density mainly on the Fe sites.
Comparison of EXAFS foil spectra from around the world
The EXAFS spectra of Cu and Pd foil from many different beamlines and synchrotrons are compared to address the dependence of the amplitude reduction factor (S{sub 0}{sup 2}) on beamline specific parameters. Even though S{sub 0}{sup 2} is the same parameter as the EXAFS coordination number, the value for S{sub 0}{sup 2} is given little attention, and is often unreported. The S{sub 0}{sup 2} often differs for the same material due to beamline and sample attributes, such that no importance is given to S{sub 0}{sup 2}-values within a general range of 0.7 to 1.1. EXAFS beamlines have evolved such that it should now be feasible to use standard S{sub 0}{sup 2} values for all EXAFS measurements of a specific elemental environment. This would allow for the determination of the imaginary energy (Ei) to account for broadening of the EXAFS signal rather than folding these errors into an effective S{sub 0}{sup 2}-value. To test this concept, we model 11 Cu-foil and 6 Pd-foil EXAFS spectra from around the world to compare the difference in S{sub 0}{sup 2}- and Ei-values.
ATHENA, ARTEMIS, HEPHAESTUS: data analysis for X-ray absorption spectropscopy using IFEFFIT
A software package for the analysis of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) data is presented. This package is based on the IFEFFIT library of numerical and XAS algorithms and is written in the Perl programming language using the Perl/Tk graphics toolkit. The programs described here are: (i) ATHENA, a program for XAS data processing, (ii) ARTEMIS, a program for EXAFS data analysis using theoretical standards from FEFF and (iii) HEPHAESTUS, a collection of beamline utilities based on tables of atomic absorption data. These programs enable high-quality data analysis that is accessible to novices while still powerful enough to meet the demands of an expert practitioner. The programs run on all major computer platforms and are freely available under the terms of a free software license.
Comparison of EXAFS Foil Spectra from Around the World
The EXAFS spectra of Cu and Pd foil from many different beamlines and synchrotrons are compared to address the dependence of the amplitude reduction factor (S{sub 0}{sup 2}) on beamline specific parameters. Even though S{sub 0}{sup 2} is the same parameter as the EXAFS coordination number, the value for S{sub 0}{sup 2} is given little attention, and is often unreported. The S{sub 0}{sup 2} often differs for the same material due to beamline and sample attributes, such that no importance is given to S{sub 0}{sup 2}-values within a general range of 0.7 to 1.1. EXAFS beamlines have evolved such that it should now be feasible to use standard S{sub 0}{sup 2} values for all EXAFS measurements of a specific elemental environment. This would allow for the determination of the imaginary energy (Ei) to account for broadening of the EXAFS signal rather than folding these errors into an effective S{sub 0}{sup 2}-value. To test this concept, we model 11 Cu-foil and 6 Pd-foil EXAFS spectra from around the world to compare the difference in S{sub 0}{sup 2}- and Ei-values.
Composing complex EXAFS problems with severe information constraints
In recent work, a model for the structural environment of Hg bound to a catalytic DNA sensor was proposed on the basis of EXAFS data analysis. Although severely constrained by limited data quality and scant supporting structural data, a compelling structural model was found which agreed with a similar but less detailed model proposed on the basis on NMR data. I discuss in detail the successes and limitations of the analytical strategy that were implemented in the earlier work. I then speculate on future software requirements needed to make this and similarly complex analytical strategies more available to the wider audience of EXAFS practitioners.