JSR – XFELs, DLSRs and beamline articles

Editorial.

Inelastic X-ray scattering with 0.75 meV resolution at 25.7 keV using a temperature-gradient analyzer

Temperature-gradient spherical analyzers allow us to improve the resolution of meV-scale inelastic X-ray scattering.

Characterization of a next-generation piezo bimorph X-ray mirror for synchrotron beamlines

A next-generation bimorph mirror with piezos bonded to the side faces of a monolithic substrate was created. When replacing a first-generation bimorph mirror suffering from the junction effect, the new type of mirror significantly improved the size and shape of the reflected synchrotron X-ray beam. No evidence of the junction effect was observed even after eight months of continuous beamline usage.

X-ray focusing scheme with continuously variable lens

A hybrid cylindrical-lens sagittal-mirror X-ray focusing scheme with a continuously variable focal length in the lens is presented.

Large-acceptance diamond planar refractive lenses manufactured by laser cutting

For the first time, planar X-ray refractive lenses have been fabricated by laser micromachining in 300 µm-thick single-crystal diamond. Tests at the ESRF ID06 beamline showed that the manufacturing quality is adequate to use such lenses as beam-conditioning elements at synchrotron radiation sources.

Cooling dynamics of self-assembled monolayer coating for integrated gold nanocrystals on a glass substrate

The thermal conductivity of nanoscaled heterostructural film and the temperature change of molecular-coated gold nanocrystals film on the substrate have been measured from the lattice constant change of the inner gold nanocrystals.

In situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction analysis of deformation behaviour in Ti–Ni-based thin films

Deformation mechanisms of as-deposited and post-annealed Ti_50.2Ni_49.6, Ti_50.3Ni_46.2Cu_3.5 and Ti_48.5Ni_40.8Cu_7.5 thin films were investigated using in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction technique. Results showed that initial crystalline phases determined the deformation mechanisms of all the films during tensile loading.

Design and development of a controlled pressure/temperature set-up for in situ studies of solid–gas processes and reactions in a synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction station

A novel set-up has been designed to carry out solid–gas reactions in isobaric and isothermal environment during X-ray high-resolution powder diffraction experiments.

Simultaneous X-ray diffraction and phase-contrast imaging for investigating material deformation mechanisms during high-rate loading

A simultaneous X-ray imaging and diffraction technique has been developed for studying dynamic material behaviors during high-rate tensile loading provided by a miniature Kolsky bar.

X-ray diffraction strain analysis of a single axial InAs_1–xP_x nanowire segment

Strain analysis of an axial InAs_1–xP_x hetero-segment in an InAs nanowire using nano-focused X-ray diffraction is presented.

Polytypism in GaAs nanowires: determination of the interplanar spacing of wurtzite GaAs by X-ray diffraction

By means of X-ray diffraction of a highly focused beam, the ratio of the interplanar spacing of zinc blende GaAs and wurtzite GaAs inside thin free-standing nanowires has been determined to be 0.66% larger along the cubic 111 direction in the wurtzite polytype.

Monitoring the thin film formation during sputter deposition of vanadium carbide

The theoretical description and the experimental realisation of in situ X-ray reflectivity measurements during thin film deposition of polycrystalline vanadium carbide coatings are presented.

Investigation of damaged interior walls using synchrotron-based XPS and XANES

The damaging of interior brick walls due to internal sulfate attack has been examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES).

A portable ultrahigh-vacuum system for advanced synchrotron radiation studies of thin films and nanostructures: EuSi₂ nano-islands

A multifunctional ultrahigh-vacuum chamber for in situ X-ray scattering/spectroscopy experiments on thin films and nanostructures with synchrotron radiation is described. The structure, stoichiometry and thermal stability of EuSi₂ nano-islands is investigated.

The pH dependence of Am(III) complexation with acetate: an EXAFS study

The complexation of Am(III) with acetate as a function of the pH value is investigated by EXAFS spectroscopy. EXAFS measurements are combined with thermodynamic speciation calculations and iterative transformation factor analysis.

Structure and effects of annealing in colloidal matrix-free Ge quantum dots

The structure of Ge quantum dots prepared by colloidal synthesis shows a dependence on the preparation route. Comprehensive characterization using both synchrotron radiation (X-ray absorption and X-ray diffraction) and in-house facilities (Raman and transmission electron microscope) shows metastable phase features of as-prepared and annealed Ge nanoparticles.

Confocal soft X-ray scanning transmission microscopy: setup, alignment procedure and limitations

A conventional STXM setup has been upgraded with a second micro zone plate and aligned to confocal geometry. Two confocal geometries (in-line and off-axis) have been evaluated and a discussion on prospects and limitations is presented.

X-ray irradiation induces local rearrangement of silica particles in swollen rubber

X-ray irradiation leads to the breakdown of cross-links, thereby inducing the local rearrangement of silica nanoparticles in swollen rubber.

Extended X-ray absorption fine structure and multiple-scattering simulation of nickel di­thiolene complexes Ni[S₂C₂(CF₃)₂]₂ⁿ (n = −2, −1, 0) and an olefin adduct Ni[S₂C₂(CF₃)₂]₂(1-hexene)

A series of Ni dithiolene complexes Ni[S₂C₂(CF₃)]₂ⁿ (n = −2, −1, 0) and an olefin adduct Ni[S₂C₂(CF₃)₂]₂(C₆H₁₂) have been examined by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and multiple-scattering analysis. The neutral complex is found `reduced' upon addition of olefin, presumably by olefin donating the electron density to the LUMO orbital.

Synchrotron radiation computed laminography using an inclined detector

Synchrotron radiation computed laminography has been in use in three-dimensional non-destructive imaging of flat objects for several years. A new set-up is proposed based on the traditional method but with the detector inclined at the same angle as the sample inclination to collect projections.

X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography visualizes the microstructure and degradation profile of implanted biodegradable scaffolds after spinal cord injury

X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography imaging based on the Talbot grating interferometer is described, and the way it can visualize the polyglycolic acid scaffold, including its microfibres, after implantation into the injured spinal cord is shown.

Functionalized synchrotron in-line phase-contrast computed tomography: a novel approach for simultaneous qu­antification of structural alterations and localization of barium-labelled alveolar macrophages within mouse lung samples

This study presents an approach to increase the sensitivity of lung computed tomography (CT) imaging by utilizing in-line phase contrast CT in combination with single-distance phase-retrieval algorithms and a dedicated image-processing regime. As demonstrated here, functional CT imaging can be achieved for the assessment of both structural alterations in asthmatic mouse lung tissue and the accumulation pattern of instilled barium-sulfate-labelled macrophages in comparison with healthy controls.

Direct nano-scale patterning of Ag films using hard X-ray induced oxidation

Direct fabrication of metal lines in the nano-scale was achieved utilizing hard X-ray induced oxidation. Ag and Au/Ag nano-lines with widths as small as 21 nm were fabricated by hard X-ray patterning.

Compton scattering imaging of a working battery using synchrotron high-energy X-rays

Synchrotron-based Compton scattering imaging has visualized the interior of a battery under in situ and operando conditions.

Tuning the phase transition of ZnO thin films through lithography: an integrated bottom-up and top-down processing

An innovative combined top-down and bottom-up approach has been used for the patterning and the physico-chemical tailoring of ZnO thin films.

Energy optimization of a regular macromolecular crystallography beamline for ultra-high-resolution crystallography

A novel method of operating undulator beamlines at high-energy settings is described, by using higher-order Bragg diffraction from the monochromator.

The GALAXIES beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron: inelastic X-ray scattering and photoelectron spectroscopy in the hard X-ray range

The GALAXIES beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron for inelastic X-ray scattering and photoelectron spectroscopy in the hard X-ray range is presented.

Upgrade of MacCHESS facility for X-ray scattering of biological macromolecules in solution

CHESS beamline G1 has been newly upgraded for biological X-ray solution scattering.

MX1: a bending-magnet crystallography beamline serving both chemical and macromolecular crystallography communities at the Australian Synchrotron

The macromolecular crystallography beamline MX1 at the Australian Synchrotron is described.

Biology with Free-Electron X-ray Lasers: Papers of a Discussion Meeting Issue

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