High-throughput combinatorial materials experimental apparatus for in-situ synthesis and real-time characterization and related methods

A high-throughput combinatorial materials experimental apparatus for in-situ synthesis and real-time characterization, comprising:

• a composition spread device for preparing a continuously graded or discrete composition spread containing a plurality of samples located at a plurality of locations on a plane;
• a low temperature diffusion mixing device for mixing the composition spread in a direction perpendicular to the plane by diffusion at a predetermined temperature to form an amorphous mixture;
• and
• an integrated synthesis-characterization unit for heat treatment of the samples of the composition spread in a parallel or point-by-point scanning mode at different thermodynamic conditions for phase formation, while characterizing properties of the samples in an in-situ and real-time manner,
• wherein the integrated synthesis-characterization unit comprises:
• a chamber;
• a sample holder disposed in the chamber for holding the composition spread;
• a micro-heating source for heating a selected sample at a selected location of the composition spread located in the chamber;
• an excitation source for providing excitation to the selected sample while the selected sample is being heated;
• a signal collector for collecting characterization signals generated by the selected sample while the selected sample is heated and excited;
• wherein the sample holder, the micro-heating source, the excitation source and the signal collector are controlled to cooperate with each other to achieve discrete heat treatment of each sample individually and the plurality of samples sequentially for phase formation and to collect and record characterization signals from each sample while under heat treatment,
• wherein the sample holder includes a displacement platform which provides controllable movements in at least two directions in the plane of the samples, and wherein the micro-heating source, the excitation source and the signal collector align with a point in the plane of the samples placed on the sample holder.

A high-throughput combinatorial materials experimental apparatus for in-situ synthesis and real-time characterization, comprising:

• a composition spread device for preparing a continuously graded or discrete composition spread containing a plurality of samples located at a plurality of locations on a plane;
• a low temperature diffusion mixing device for mixing the composition spread in a direction perpendicular to the plane by diffusion at a predetermined temperature to form an amorphous mixture;
• and
• an integrated synthesis-characterization unit for heat treatment of the samples of the composition spread in a parallel or point-by-point scanning mode at different thermodynamic conditions for phase formation, while characterizing properties of the samples in an in-situ and real-time manner,
• wherein the integrated synthesis-characterization unit comprises:
• a chamber;
• a sample holder disposed in the chamber for holding the composition spread;
• a micro-heating source for heating a selected sample at a selected location of the composition spread located in the chamber;
• an excitation source for providing excitation to the selected sample while the selected sample is being heated;
• a signal collector for collecting characterization signals generated by the selected sample while the selected sample is heated and excited;
• wherein the sample holder, the micro-heating source, the excitation source and the signal collector are controlled to cooperate with each other to achieve discrete heat treatment of each sample individually and the plurality of samples sequentially for phase formation and to collect and record characterization signals from each sample while under heat treatment,
• wherein the sample holder is stationary, wherein the apparatus further comprises a micro-heating source tracking controller, an excitation source tracking controller and a signal collector tracking controller for respectively controlling alignment of the micro-heating source, the excitation source and the signal collector to simultaneously align at a selected location in the plane of the samples and to move the selected location sequentially to scan all samples of the composition spread.