Dr. Rasa Changizi receives Borchers Badge
Max Planck scientist honoured by RWTH Aachen University
Dr. Rasa Changizi received the Borchers Badge in recognition of her outstanding PhD thesis during the graduation ceremony of the RWTH Aachen University in September. In 2022, being a member in the research group “Nanoanalytics and Interfaces” at the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung (MPIE), Changizi defended her PhD thesis titled “Structural Analysis and Correlative Cathodoluminescence Investigations of Pr (doped) Niobates” with distinction.
“I am truly delighted to receive the Borchers Badge. My PhD years are the highlight of my educational journey. By looking at this badge, I will reminisce about those years and remember that I can achieve my goals with dedication, perseverance, and patience. I am also grateful for the support and guidance I received during my doctoral studies, especially from my supervisor Christina Scheu", says Changizi. In her thesis, she investigates the luminescence properties of lanthanide-doped niobates and compounds. These compounds are used in various optical applications such as lasers, LEDs and biological imaging systems. To understand their chemical composition and crystal structure, she analysed two different phases using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Employing a cathodoluminescence detector, Changizi was able to observe emission spectra for each individual particle. By performing transmission electron microscopy, detailed investigations on crystal structure, crystal defects and their correlation to the luminescence properties were carried out. Her research revealed that luminescence is predominantly influenced by the concentration of lanthanides and the presence of defects.
The Borchers Badge is awarded to doctoral students of the RWTH Aachen University who excel in their PhD examinations. It is named in honour of Professor Dr. Dr.-Ing. E.h. Wilhelm Borchers, a metallurgist who served as the university’s president from 1904 to 1909.
