Hybrid pixel array detectors enter the low noise regime

Custom-designed hybrid pixel array detectors (HPADs) have completely changed the situation of detection at synchrotron sources over the last decade. With the development of a very low noise integrating HPAD, the detector group at PSI has shown that these systems can also be used for spectroscopic imaging and sub-keV photon detection.

Towards hybrid pixel detectors for energy-dispersive or soft X-ray photon science

A novel hybrid pixel detector is evaluated and its potential for low-noise/low-energy detection and energy-dispersive photon science is highlighted.

High-speed X-ray imaging pixel array detector for synchrotron bunch isolation

A high-speed pixel array detector for time-resolved X-ray imaging at synchrotrons has been developed. The ability to isolate single synchrotron bunches makes it ideal for time-resolved dynamical studies.

First experimental feasibility study of VIPIC: a custom-made detector for X-ray speckle measurements

Preliminary X-ray correlation spectroscopy results from the novel three-dimensional vertically integrated photon imaging chip (VIPIC) detector are presented.

Ultra-high-resolution inelastic X-ray scattering at high-repetition-rate self-seeded X-ray free-electron lasers

This article explores novel opportunities for ultra-high-resolution inelastic X-ray scattering (IXS) at high-repetition-rate self-seeded XFELs. These next-generation light sources are promising a more than three orders of magnitude increase in average spectral flux compared with what is possible with storage-ring-based radiation sources. In combination with the advanced IXS spectrometer described here, this may become a real game-changer for ultra-high-resolution X-ray spectroscopies, and hence for the studies of dynamics in condensed matter systems.

Compound refractive lenses as prefocusing optics for X-ray FEL radiation

A prefocusing compound refractive lens was implemented for the Matter under Extreme Conditions Instrument at the Linac Coherent Light Source. A significant improvement in the beamline transmission was calculated and observed at 5 keV.

Spontaneous emission and spectral properties of radiation by relativistic electrons in a gyro-klystron and optical-klystron undulator

The spectral properties of a gyro-klystron and klystron undulator are studied through analytical derived results.

Optimization of the design for beamline with fast polarization switching elliptically polarized undulators

An XMCD beamline with tandem twin EPUs can emit fast switching polarized beams, but the results of ray tracing show that the energy resolutions of the two EPUs differ greatly when the real surface profiles are included. In this work, a conceptually new design for a beamline to solve this problem is proposed.

Rapid in situ X-ray position stabilization via extremum seeking feedback

A novel extremum seeking feedback method for stabilizing the X-ray beam position at the sample is demonstrated. This method uses existing oscillations that are already present in the beam.

Analysis and control of the photon beam position at PLS-II

The variation of the photon beam position in a beamline, which is a critical issue for user experiments, is analyzed and corrected through the correlation link with the electron beam position in the storage ring.

Novel micro-reactor flow cell for investigation of model catalysts using in situ grazing-incidence X-ray scattering

The design and performance of a novel micro-reactor in situ flow cell permitting investigation of model catalysts with grazing-incidence small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering is presented.

The high-field magnet endstation for X-ray magnetic dichroism experiments at ESRF soft X-ray beamline ID32

The high-field magnet endstation for X-ray magnetic dichroism experiments at the ESRF soft X-ray beamline ID32 is presented.

Optimized spatial overlap in optical pump–X-ray probe experiments with high repetition rate using laser-induced surface distortions

Problems and solutions for determining the spatial overlap in synchrotron-based ultrafast X-ray diffraction experiments are discussed. The method allows for the quantitative measurement of laser-induced surface distortions in nanostructured solids.

Studying solutions at high shear rates: a dedicated microfluidics setup

The development of a microfluidics setup for studying the interaction of complex solutions under varying shear conditions is presented.

Perspectives and limitations of symmetric X-ray Bragg reflections for inspecting polytypism in nanowires

X-ray intensity distributions close to the [111] Bragg reflection of ensembles of polytypic nanowires are simulated. These ensembles differ in the distribution of the polytypes inside the wires. The results show that the interpretation of such X-ray profiles is non-trivial and non-unique.

In situ synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction for studying the role of induced structural defects on the thermoluminescence mechanism of nanocrystalline LiF

Ball-milling of a coarse LiF powder was employed to produce nanostructured fluorites with different defect concentration for thermoluminescence applications. In situ X-ray diffraction analysis shows that thermoluminescence is highly dependent on the structural defect densities and on the degree of interaction between dislocations and point defects.

Temperature-dependent EXAFS study of the local structure and lattice dynamics in cubic Y₂O₃

The evolution of the local atomic structure of cubic yttria is followed upon temperature increase using Y K-edge X-ray absorption fine structure analysis, complemented with advanced modelling approaches (classical molecular dynamics, reverse Monte Carlo and evolutionary algorithm methods).

Transmission X-ray scattering as a probe for complex liquid-surface structures

The potential of scanning transmission X-ray scattering as a position-sensitive probe for structures at liquid surfaces is explored.

Reference spectra of important adsorbed organic and inorganic phosphate binding forms for soil P speciation using synchrotron-based K-edge XANES spectroscopy

This paper presents P K-edge XANES spectra of orthophosphate and inositol hexakisphosphate (IHP) adsorbed to important pedogenic minerals and soil organic matter in moderately acidic soils, as well as of IHP retained by calcite and Ca phytate, which are important P forms in calcareous soils. Inclusion of these spectra in addition to spectra of well known P-bearing compounds supposed to be present in soils (free and cation-bound IHP, Al, Fe, Ca phosphate minerals) as reference compounds in linear combination fitting exercises improves fit quality and yields more accurate P speciation results.

The stopped-drop method: a novel setup for containment-free and time-resolved measurements

Free-hanging drops from homogeneously mixed solutions allow containment-free time-resolved measurements with an initial dead-time of 100 ms. This has been used to explore the formation mechanism of EDTA-stabilized CdS quantum dots, both at a synchrotron source in a single-shot mode and at a laboratory source in a stroboscopic mode.

FDMX: extended X-ray absorption fine structure calculations using the finite difference method

A new theoretical approach and computational package, FDMX, for general calculations of X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) is described. This is the first full-potential package to calculate accurate XAFS spectra across a complete energy range within a single framework, presented with example spectra for elemental Sn, rutile TiO₂ and FeO₆.

Observation of scissors modes in solid state systems with a SQUID

Collective oscillations of deformed ions, called scissors modes, in their unit cells were predicted some time ago. Here it is proposed to detect them by measuring using a SQUID the associated variation of the magnetic field.

Image guidance protocol for synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy

An image-guidance procedure for the small-animal microbeam radiotherapy stage at the Australian Synchrotron is demonstrated. The procedure encompassess imaging and semi-automatic alignment of samples prior to the radiotherapy, with a spatial accuracy of about 100 µm, demonstrated using phantoms.

Local X-ray magnetic circular dichroism study of Fe/Cu(111) using a tunneling smart tip

A tunneling smart tip of a synchrotron X-ray scanning tunneling microscope provides simultaneously localized topographic, elemental and magnetic information.

Non-negative matrix factorization for the near real-time interpretation of absorption effects in elemental distribution images acquired by X-ray fluorescence imaging

The value of non-negative matrix factorization for near real-time data analysis during a beam time is discussed.

Calibrating the X-ray attenuation of liquid water and correcting sample movement artefacts during in operando synchrotron X-ray radiographic imaging of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

A method for correcting image artefacts caused by micrometer-scale sample movement during synchrotron imaging has been developed. The liquid water X-ray attenuation coefficient was calibrated to improve the accuracy of the liquid water quantification.

Visualization of microvasculature and thrombi by X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography in hepatocellular carcinoma

Phase-contrast computed tomography provides an accurate morphologic description of microvasculature and thrombi in the hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and has the potential to distinguish malignant from benign thrombi via density distribution of the thrombi.

A modified discrete algebraic reconstruction technique for multiple grey image reconstruction for limited angle range tomography

A tomography reconstruction algorithm has been proposed, which can achieve high-quality reconstructions of multiple grey phantoms from projection of a limited angle range and without prior knowledge of the grey values.

Densitometry and temperature measurement of combustion gas by X-ray Compton scattering

Measurement of combustion gas by high-energy X-ray Compton scattering is reported.

3D-printed photo-spectroelectrochemical devices for in situ and in operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy investigation

A compact cell for photo-spectroelectrochemical X-ray absorption spectroscopy is presented. The cell has been fabricated by three-dimensional printing and has been successfully used for in situ and in operando experiments.

Protein crystallography beamline (PX-BL21) at Indus-2 synchrotron

The design and development of the protein crystallography beamline (PX-BL21) at Indus-2 is described, along with some recent results.

The LUCIA beamline at SOLEIL

A review of the improvements made to the LUCIA beamline after it was moved from SLS to SOLEIL is given. Emphasis is given to the new multilayer grating monochromator which extends the energy domain down to around 500 eV.

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