Welcoming a new Main Editor of Journal of Synchrotron Radiation

Introducing a new Main Editor of JSR.

Investigation of fast and efficient lossless compression algorithms for macromolecular crystallography experiments

Many macromolecular crystallography beamlines are now fitted with DECTRIS Eiger detectors, which are all delivered with optimized compression algorithms by default; they perform well with current framing rates and typical diffraction data. However, better lossless compression algorithms have been developed and are now available to the research community.

Ion beam figuring for X-ray mirrors: history, state-of-the-art and future prospects

A review of the history of ion beam figuring and current developments is presented, with a focus on the production of high-quality X-ray optics.

Self-calibration strategies for reducing systematic slope measurement errors of autocollimators in deflectometric profilometry

The beam shaping optics of synchrotrons and X-ray free-electron lasers are routinely measured using deflectometric profilometers, which use autocollimators to evaluate the surface slope from the displacement of a reticle image on a detector. Here, novel strategies to reduce systematic measurement errors by using a set of overlapping images of the reticle obtained at different positions on the detector, which can reduce the systematic errors by up to a factor of four to five without recourse to external measurements, are discussed.

Hard X-ray operation of X-ray gas monitors at the European XFEL

The operation of X-ray gas monitors at the European XFEL at hard photon energies up to 30 keV is described, and the possibilities and limitations for future operation up to 50 keV are discussed.

Soft X-ray wavefront sensing at an ellipsoidal mirror shell

Phase retrieval at an axisymmetric ellipsoidal mirror is demonstrated with soft X-rays (277 eV), completed by a reconstruction of the focus as well as figure and alignment error of the mirror. Based on simple measurements of the cross-focal, three-dimensional intensity distribution, an intuitive algorithm is proposed which combines the advantages of high resolution, sensitivity and reliability even under difficult conditions like a low source flux or weak spatial coherence.

The effect of transport apertures on relay-imaged, sharp-edged laser profiles in photoinjectors and the impact on electron beam properties

Wavefront propagation studies show that apertures in the laser injection path into photoinjector electron guns result in spatial ripples in relay-imaged cut-Gaussian profiles. The effect on electron beam properties depends on the extent to which space charge washes out the corresponding ripples in the emitted electron bunch, but could significantly negatively impact the quality of the electron bunch.

Automated spectrometer alignment via machine learning

The application of a machine learning approach for the automated alignment of a soft X-ray spectrometer is showcased. Our method has been validated with experimental data at the beamline and significantly reduces the alignment time from approximately one hour to just a few minutes.

Sub-nanometre quality X-ray mirrors created using ion beam figuring

Recent advancements are presented for an ion beam figuring system developed at Diamond Light Source, demonstrating surface correction of X-ray mirrors to achieve sub-nanometre r.m.s. height errors and <50 nrad r.m.s. slope errors.

Characterization of silicon pore optics for the NewAthena X-ray observatory in the PTB laboratory at BESSY II

Mirror modules for the optics of the X-ray observatory NewAthena are assembled and characterized at dedicated synchrotron radiation beamlines. The reflectance of a fully assembled and coated module was determined in a wide energy range.

Revealing the structure of the active sites for the electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction to CO over Co single atom catalysts using operando XANES and machine learning

Operando XANES analysis assisted by machine learning, spectral decomposition approaches and DFT modelling is employed to shed light on the speciation of Co and N co-doped carbon catalyst during electrocatalytic CO₂ conversion.

L₃-edge X-ray spectroscopy of rhodium and palladium compounds

The K and L₃ X-ray absorption near-edge structures of Rh and Pd compounds are compared.

Laminography as a tool for imaging large-size samples with high resolution

A laminography setup and software toolbox for efficient imaging of large-size samples are presented. Applicability of the developed technique is demonstrated by imaging slabs through a whole mouse brain sample stained with heavy elements.

First X-ray spectral ptychography and resonant ptychographic computed tomography experiments at the SWING beamline from Synchrotron SOLEIL

The first X-ray spectral ptychography and resonant ptychographic computed tomography experiments at the SWING beamline at Synchrotron SOLEIL are described. To illustrate the application of the techniques, a metallic Ni wire sample is measured.

3D imaging of magnetic domains in Nd₂Fe₁₄B using scanning hard X-ray nanotomography

A computational imaging framework for visualizing 3D magnetization at the nanoscale has been developed.

Developing an in situ LED irradiation system for small-angle X-ray scattering at B21, Diamond Light Source

A system has been developed for irradiating samples with UV and visible light in situ during small-angle X-ray scattering data collection. The system is suitable for studying light-responsive samples such as photosurfactants, UV-hardening resins or light-active proteins.

In situ XAFS–XRD study of the Zr–Y₂O₃ interaction at extra-high temperatures

In situ XAFS–XRD measurements of Zr oxidation and the ZrO₂–Y₂O₃ reaction up to 2519 K are reported. Analysis of anharmonic effects at high temperatures showed that Y₂O₃–ZrO₂ proceeded to stabilize Zr—O and Y—O bonding. The developed system was confirmed to be applicable for high-temperature investigations of nuclear fuel material.

The concept for hard X-ray beamline optics at SLS 2.0

A simple, easy-to-operate and robust beamline design is presented for five new hard X-ray beamlines in the scope of the latest upgrade of the Swiss Light Source. The performance increase is up to four orders of magnitude with respect to the current storage ring and beamline design.

Mapping of lithium ion concentrations in 3D structures through development of in situ correlative imaging of X-ray Compton scattering-computed tomography

A novel in situ correlative imaging X-ray Compton scattering computed tomography technique has been developed to unravel the fundamental relationship between the materials chemistry of light elements and their 3D structures. Here, this technique is applied to two types of batteries to map the internal lithium-ion concentrations.

The laser pump X-ray probe system at LISA P08 PETRA III

Pump–probe experiments are possible on liquid interfaces using the LISA instrument at P08 beamline PETRA III, DESY. The time scales available range from 38 ps to seconds.

Signal-to-noise and spatial resolution in in-line imaging. 1. Basic theory, numerical simulations and planar experimental images

Signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution are quantitatively analysed in the context of propagation based X-ray phase-contrast imaging. The performance of the method is shown to be determined by the Fresnel number and the ratio of the real decrement to the imaginary part of the refractive index of the imaged object.

Roentgenoscopy of laser-induced projectile impact testing

Laser-induced projectile impact testing (LIPIT) based on X-ray white-light imaging is presented. This study confirms the potential of LIPIT based on synchrotron in situ imaging, which allows the recording of the trajectories of high-speed particles inside a material and the material's impact response in real time.

X-ray phase-contrast tomography of cells manipulated with an optical stretcher

Biological cells in suspension are manipulated using an optical stretcher and imaged using X-ray phase-contrast tomography.

Development of a portable and cost-effective femtosecond fibre laser synchronizable with synchrotron X-ray pulses

This study introduces a compact, portable femtosecond fibre laser system optimized for synchronization with SPring-8 synchrotron X-ray pulses in a uniform filling mode, offering a practical and cost-effective alternative to traditionally, fixed, installed laser systems for time-resolved spectroscopy combining synchrotron X-ray pulses and laser pulses.

Asymmetric electrostatic dodecapole: compact bandpass filter with low aberrations for momentum microscopy

A compact bandpass prefilter eliminates electrons with energies above or below the desired range and can correct image aberrations up to the third order before the beam enters a time-of-flight analyzer. Here, the imaging performance of the filter is demonstrated for two key applications of high-energy momentum microscopes: full-field core-level photoelectron diffraction and mapping of bulk valence bands.

X-ray optics for the cavity-based X-ray free-electron laser

The design, manufacturing and characterization of X-ray optics for a cavity-based X-ray free-electron laser are presented.

Mango wiggler as a novel insertion device providing a large and symmetrical imaging field of view

A novel insertion device called the Mango wiggler has been proposed and developed for the High Energy Photon Source in Beijing, providing a large and symmetrical imaging field of view.

Dual-beam X-ray nano-holotomography

The first implementation of full-field nano-holotomography in a dual-beam configuration is presented.

PEPICO analysis of catalytic reactor effluents towards qu­antitative isomer discrimination: DME conversion over a ZSM-5 zeolite

Photoelectron–photoion coincidence (PEPICO) spectroscopy is used to analyse the composition of the effluent stream during dimethyl ether conversion on a ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst – a prototypical model reaction for the methanol-to-hydrocarbons process. Under well-defined low pressure (10⁻⁶ mbar) conditions, PEPICO offers a suitable analytical tool to identify the effluent composition, including quantitative isomer discrimination (in this case, of xylenes).

X-ray scattering based scanning tomography for imaging and structural characterization of cellulose in plants

Tomographic virtual sectioning of plant samples based on X-ray scattering intensity provides spatially resolved characterization of the structure and organization of cellulose in plants.

Nonlinear optimization for a low-emittance storage ring

A self-adaptive crossover parameter is introduced in a strategy to adopt a new η_c for every generation while running a multi-objective genetic algorithm.

Enhanced X-ray free-electron laser performance with optical klystron and helical undulators

This paper presents a demonstration of the improved performance of an X-ray free-electron laser using the optical klystron mechanism and helical undulator configuration, in comparison with the common planar undulator configuration without optical klystron. The measured improvements are compared with simulations and show a good agreement and a significant reduction in saturation length and an increase in saturation power.

High-throughput and high-resolution powder X-ray diffractometer consisting of six sets of 2D CdTe detectors with variable sample-to-detector distance and innovative automation system

A high-throughput and high-resolution powder X-ray diffractometer has been developed in the third experimental hutch of BL13XU, SPring-8. The diffractometer is equipped with six sets of 2D CdTe detectors and an automation system including sample exchange and equipment switching. Performance and demonstration results are presented.

GIWAXS experimental methods at the NFPS-BL17B beamline at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility

The development of a versatile in situ grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) testing device at the BL17B beamline station at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility in China is described.

TomoPyUI: a user-friendly tool for rapid tomography alignment and reconstruction

In this study, we introduce TomoPyUI, a user-friendly interface for the TomoPy tomography data processing package, designed to streamline and enhance the management of synchrotron and neutron computed tomography data. TomoPyUI, operating within a Jupyter environment, incorporates GPU-accelerated algorithms and a structured data management system, significantly reducing computation times and improving workflow efficiency in the tomography processing pipeline.

Teaching about the birth of synchrotron light: the role of Frascati and a missed opportunity

A collection of personal reminiscences illuminates many widely unknown facts about the first steps of synchrotron radiation research; in particular, the events that brought Frascati close to world leadership in this domain.

The HEPS synchrotron unleashes new medical frontiers

The High Energy Photon Source (HEPS) in Beijing achieved a beam energy of 6 GeV. This milestone enables groundbreaking advances in health sciences and various research fields, promising new insights into biological and quantum processes.