X-ray birefringence and dichroism obtained from magnetic materials

A theoretical framework for modelling polarization-dependent effects (dichroism and birefringence) in the transmission of X-ray beams through anisotropic magnetic materials is presented. Classical optical calculus is connected, in the X-ray case, to atomic variables, and we consider as examples magnetically ordered ferrous niobate and dysprosium borocarbide.

Use of highly energetic (116 keV) synchrotron radiation for X-ray fluorescence analysis of trace rare-earth and heavy elements

Crystal monochromator with a resolution beyond 10⁸

A 140 µeV-bandwidth monochromator for 23.880 keV X-rays is presented, and ways to improve efficiency, wavelength stability and resolution are discussed.

Geometrical fitting of experimental XANES spectra by a full multiple-scattering procedure

In this paper a new software procedure is presented, named MXAN, able to fit the XANES part (from the edge to about 200 eV) of experimental X-ray absorption data. The method is based on the fitting between the experimental spectrum and several theoretical calculations generated by changing the relevant geometrical parameters of the site around the absorbing atom. The analysis of the nickel K-edge of the nickel ion in aqueous solution is presented as an example.

An investigation of the use of the Hedin–Lundqvist exchange and correlation potential in EXAFS data analysis

The effect of the imaginary part of the Hedin–Lundqvist exchange and correlation potential on the EXAFS amplitude is systematically investigated. The HL potential is designed to model only the extrinsic losses to the EXAFS amplitude; however, we find that it gives good agreement with the total losses found experimentally.

Multiple-electron excitation in X-ray absorption: a simple generic model

A simple physical model employing Slater orbitals is used to calculate the energy-dependent multiple-electron excitation probability in X-ray absorption. Good agreement with experiment is found.

CRYSTALFF – from crystallography to EXAFS multiple-scattering calculations with FEFF

CRYSTALFF is an alternative utility to ATOMS containing most of the features of this standard program for converting crystallographic data to FEFF input. In addition, it offers an interface with molecular modelling programs via the PDB format and new coordination sphere analysis options.

Overview of the tunable beamlines for protein crystallography at the EMBL Hamburg Outstation; an analysis of current and future usage and developments

The increasing automation of the beamlines is of particular importance fuelled by structural genomics planning and developments. The statistics of all projects show that a wide range of anomalous scattering elements are used demonstrating the need for a wide range of accessible energies, and fast and reliable energy changes.

NEXAFS study of 1-butane­thiol adsorbed on Cu(111) and × R19.1° S/Cu(111)

The adsorption of 1-butanethiol on Cu(111) and × R19.1° S/Cu(111) surfaces has been studied by S K-edge near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and thermal desorption spectroscopy. Upon adsorption on clean Cu(111) surface at room temperature, butanethiolate as well as atomic sulfur is formed.

Detailed tabulation of atomic form factors, photoelectric absorption and scattering cross section, and mass attenuation coefficients in the vicinity of absorption edges in the soft X-ray (Z = 30–36, Z = 60–89, E = 0.1–10 keV) – addressing convergence issues of earlier work

A new tabulation of atomic form factors is discussed briefly, extending the validity of the isolated atom approximation and serving as a baseline for near-edge solid-state and XAFS investigations. This is detailed by Chantler [J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, (2000), 29, 597–1048] and is the latest component of the FFAST tabulation of NIST.

DESY released TESLA technical design report

Leadership at the APS

X-ray data booklet now available

SPEAR3 technical milestones reached

NSLS appoints a new Chairman