Electrostatic Levitator for Studying the Glass Transition (IMAGE)

Washington University in St. Louis

Electrostatic Levitator for Studying the Glass Transition

Caption

This is a levitated drop of a metallic liquid inside an instrument used to study the glass transition. Electrodes above and below the sample charge its surface by induction, and it rises in the evacuated chamber, hoisted by electrostatic attraction. The sample is melted by laser and then bombarded by an intense beam of X-rays produced by a synchrotron. The pattern in which the X-rays scatter contains information about the positions and interactions of the atoms in the droplet.

Credit

Ken Kelton

Usage Restrictions

please credit

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.