X-ray lens figure errors retrieved by deep learning from several beam intensity images

A neural network trained with a few thousand simulations using random errors is demonstrated to predict accurately the lens error profile that accounts for all aberrations of a compound refractive lens in a synchrotron beamline.

Study on the UV FEL single-shot damage threshold of an Au thin film

Single-shot damage of an 200 nm-thick Au thin film is experimentally studied with a UV FEL of 121.6 nm wavelength and 2 ps pulse length. The characterized, as well as visually observed, phenomena are analyzed with multiple theoretical approaches.

Development of an X-ray ionization beam position monitor for PAL-XFEL soft X-rays

An X-ray ionization beam position monitor developed for PAL-XFEL soft X-rays is introduced.

Diamond sensors for hard X-ray energy and position resolving measurements at the European XFEL

Diamond sensors have been developed and tested for operation with high-energy X-ray beams at the European XFEL.

Spexwavepy: an open-source Python package for X-ray wavefront sensing using speckle-based techniques

An open-source Python package for X-ray wavefront sensing using speckle-based techniques, namely spexwavepy, has been presented.

MLgrating: a program for simulating multilayer gratings for tender X-ray applications

MLgrating, a MATLAB program for simulating multilayer grating efficiencies, is presented.

Development of an advanced in-line multilayer deposition system at Diamond Light Source

A state-of-the-art multilayer deposition system has been developed at Diamond Light Source; this instrument is engineered to produce single and multilayer coatings, accommodating mirrors up to 2000 mm in length through the utilization of eight rectangular cathodes.

New achievements in orbital angular momentum beam characterization using a Hartmann wavefront sensor and the Kirkpatrick–Baez active optical system KAOS

By utilizing the active Kirkpatrick–Baez optical system in collimation mode coupled with a spiral zone plate, orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams have been successfully generated and characterized. The reported findings are relevant for future experiments on OAM structured beams.

Comparing single-shot damage thresholds of boron carbide and silicon at the European XFEL

The damage threshold fluences of silicon (Si) and boron carbide (B₄C)-coated Si at 1 keV and 9 mrad grazing incident angle are compared. Results show that B₄C has a damage threshold approximately twice that of Si, highlighting the advantages of using B₄C coatings for enhanced durability.

In situ photodeposition of ultra-small palladium particles on TiO₂

An in situ approach to generate photocatalysts using a custom-made photocatalytic cell allowed, by synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy, the different stages of Pd nucleation onto TiO₂ samples to be followed yielding a highly homogeneous distribution of 1 nm palladium nanoparticles.

Effectiveness of ab initio molecular dynamics in simulating EXAFS spectra from layered systems

Ab initio molecular dynamics has been used to study the structure of a WSe₂ multilayer deposited on silicon.

Hyperspectral full-field quick-EXAFS imaging at the ROCK beamline for monitoring micrometre-sized heterogeneity of functional materials under process conditions

Full-field hyperspectral X-ray absorption spectroscopy imaging implemented at a quick-EXAFS beamline offers the capability to add micrometre-scale information to second time resolution for operando monitoring of functional materials under process conditions.

RefXAS: an open access database of X-ray absorption spectra

The RefXAS database under DAPHNE4NFDI enables users to access quality-controlled, curated X-ray absorption spectra of references along with important metadata and to share their data with the research community in easy steps.

Area normalization of HERFD-XANES spectra

Normalization of XANES data to the spectral area is shown to be a viable normalization method with an error of a few percent as evaluated by comparison with calculated spectra and spectra normalized to the edge-jump.

Vibrational stability improvement of a mirror system using active mass damping

Active damping with internal absolute velocity feedback was implemented to damp the angular vibration of a mirror holder for free-electron laser beam transportation.

Demonstration of full polarization control of soft X-ray pulses with Apple X undulators at SwissFEL using recoil ion momentum spectroscopy

The polarization capabilities of SwissFEL's Athos beamline are demonstrated by deriving the Stokes parameters as a function of the undulator phase and comparing them with experimental measurements obtained by cold target recoil ion momentum spectroscopy.

Double-edge scan wavefront metrology and its application in crystal diffraction wavefront measurements

An innovative double-edge scan wavefront metrology method has been developed which can resolve the problem of high-precision crystal absolute diffraction wavefront measurements. This method can be regarded as a critical feedback mechanism in the processing of next-generation crystals.

Development of a high-performance and cost-effective in-vacuum undulator

A high-performance in-vacuum undulator has been developed in a cost-effective manner.

Controlling cantilevered adaptive X-ray mirrors

The linear shape control and actuation of a modeled adaptive X-ray optic in a cantilever geometry is described, showing that control is mathematically similar to that of the more common mounting approaches.

Development and performance simulations of a soft X-ray and XUV split-and-delay unit at beamlines FL23/24 at FLASH2 for time-resolved two-color pump–probe experiments

A set-up for two-color experiments at FLASH2 utilizing the split-and-delay unit at FL23 and FL24 is presented. It will be achieved by using suitable filters and an additional grating beam path with a dispersion compensated monochromator.

The diamond–silicon carbide composite Skeleton^® as a promising material for substrates of intense X-ray beam optics

A new material for substrates of optical elements used under ultra-powerful X-ray beams is described – the diamond-silicon carbide composite Skeleton^®. The composition and structure of the material, its surface roughness with a technological coating of polycrystalline silicon and its thermophysical characteristics are studied.

Prediction of the treatment effect of FLASH radiotherapy with synchrotron radiation from the Circular Electron–Positron Collider (CEPC)

The synchrotron radiation beam from the Circular Electron–Positron Collider (CEPC) in China can be considered as one of the best beams for FLASH radiotherapy after using a physicochemical model to predict the macroscopic therapeutic effect.

A new dual-thickness semi-transparent beamstop for small-angle X-ray scattering

A novel method for transmission intensity measurement and scattering intensity normalization is developed. This method enables true synchronization of scattering and transmission signal measurements, and separation of the transmission intensity of fundamental radiation from the attenuated direct beam.

TEMPUS, a Timepix4-based system for the event-based detection of X-rays

A full description of the TEMPUS system for photon science is given. The detector takes advantage of the new Timepix4 readout chip and, in particular, implements the use of the time-stamping mode for high-resolution timing applications.

Characterizing electron-collecting CdTe for use in a 77 ns burst-rate imager

The characterization of electron-collecting CdTe for use in a 77 ns burst-rate charge-integrating detector is described.

Indirect detector for ultra-high-speed X-ray micro-imaging with increased sensitivity to near-ultraviolet scintillator emission

This study introduces an optimized indirect X-ray microscope capable of achieving micrometre pixel size and megahertz acquisition speed, leveraging enhanced sensitivity in the near-ultraviolet spectrum and single-crystal fast-decay scintillators. This development enables high-resolution imaging for dynamic phenomena, exemplified by experiments with pulsed wire explosion and superheated near-nozzle gasoline injection.

A distributed software system for integrating data-intensive imaging methods in a hard X-ray nanoprobe beamline at the SSRF

The development of hard X-ray nanoprobe techniques has given rise to a number of experimental methods, like nano-XAS, nano-XRD, nano-XRF, ptychography and tomography. Each method has its own unique data processing algorithms. With the increase in data acquisition rate, the large amount of generated data is now a big challenge to these algorithms. Here, software is proposed that is based on distributed systems with an intuitive graphical user interface design that allows users to easily operate and configure the software.

Electrochemical cell for synchrotron nuclear resonance techniques

A new three-electrode battery cell designed for synchrotron techniques, allowing operation in both transmission and reflection geometry, has been tested and demonstrated.

StreamSAXS: a Python-based workflow platform for processing streaming SAXS/WAXS data

StreamSAXS has been developed as a Python-based desktop application within the SAXS/WAXS analysis system. It features a plug-in framework and seamless integration into large-scale acquisition systems for full-lifecycle data management.

VUV absorption spectra of water and nitrous oxide by a double-duty differentially pumped gas filter

The differentially pumped gas filter of the VUV beamline at the SLS is adapted to record VUV absorption spectra of gaseous samples over a broad photon energy range. Water and nitrous oxide spectra are recorded in proof-of-principle measurements.

A 1D imaging soft X-ray spectrometer for the small quantum systems instrument at the European XFEL

A 1D imaging soft X-ray spectrometer, installed and commissioned on the SQS instrument of the European XFEL, is described.

Web-CONEXS: an inroad to theoretical X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Web-CONEXS is introduced – a web application hosted on ISPyB at Diamond Light Source, which provides a platform for modelling XAS spectra based on minimal user input.

Development of a flat jet delivery system for soft X-ray spectroscopy at MAX IV

Our work presents recent advancements in 3D-printed nozzles for liquid jet spectroscopy, made possible by the availability of nozzle development and testing facilities at EuXFEL, Germany. We also demonstrate the performance of one of these custom-designed nozzles in a new flat jet system under commissioning at MAX IV Laboratory in Lund, Sweden, introducing a new injection method to analyze flat liquid surfaces and opening new possibilities for the spectroscopy community.

High-angular-sensitivity X-ray phase-contrast microtomography of soft tissue through a two-directional beam-tracking synchrotron set-up

X-ray phase-contrast microtomography is demonstrated using two-dimensional amplitude modulation of the beam. The implementation is characterised in terms of angular sensitivity and spatial resolution, and its application to the three-dimensional imaging of biological soft tissues is shown.

New opportunities for time-resolved imaging using diffraction-limited storage rings

The opportunities for time-resolved X-ray imaging at diffraction-limited storage rings are demonstrated by benchmarking time-resolved 2D and 3D imaging at ForMAX, MAX IV. The enhanced flux density provided by the MAX IV storage ring allows micrometer-resolution time-resolved imaging at 2 kHz and 1.1 MHz acquisition rates in 3D and 2D, respectively.

Correcting angular distortions in Bragg coherent X-ray diffraction imaging

An algorithm has been developed that effectively corrects and tracks angular distortions, enabling BCDI to work much more robustly and accurately in a wider range of challenging experimental scenarios.

Accelerating imaging research at large-scale scientific facilities through scientific computing

Scientific computing augmentation paving the way for the advent of next-generation synchrotron imaging research is discussed.

Investigating the missing-wedge problem in small-angle X-ray scattering tensor tomography across real and reciprocal space

Using a novel acquisition scheme for SAXS tensor tomography to obtain complete data for a millimeter-sized sample of human trabecular bone, we investigate and quantify the impact of the missing wedge problem on the reconstruction across real and reciprocal space.

Using convolutional neural network denoising to reduce ambiguity in X-ray coherent diffraction imaging

Ambiguity, which is an intrinsic characteristic of coherent diffraction imaging during image retrieval, can be reduced using machine learning.

Hard X-ray imaging and tomography at the Biomedical Imaging and Therapy beamlines of Canadian Light Source

The current state of the Biomedical Imaging and Therapy beamlines of the Canadian Light Source is described and new capabilities are presented.

BEATS: BEAmline for synchrotron X-ray microTomography at SESAME

The recently inaugurated beamline ID10-BEATS for hard X-ray full-field tomography at the SESAME synchrotron in Jordan is presented. The design, performance and scientific applications of the beamline, which was developed within the European Horizon 2020 project BEAmline for Tomography at SESAME, are illustrated.

Development and commissioning of a broadband online X-ray spectrometer for the SXFEL Facility

A high-energy-resolution X-ray spectrometer has been commissioned at the SXFEL Facility, delivering single-shot resolving power beyond 20000 to provide support for fine-tuning and optimization of the machine, during scientific research. The fine structure of the individual spiky peak in the SASE spectrum is clearly resolved to characterize the pulse length of FEL radiation.

A versatile sample-delivery system for X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of in-flight aerosols and free nanoparticles at MAX IV Laboratory

A new mobile sample-delivery system dedicated to in-flight studies of pristine aerosols and unsupported nanoparticles using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at the MAX IV Laboratory in Lund, Sweden, is presented. The aerosol sample-delivery system brings an aerosol from atmospheric pressure to the experimental chamber in a continuous flow, and the design, operation and commissioning results of the system are presented.

The soft X-ray spectromicroscopy beamline BL08U1A upgrade at SSRF

The upgrade of beamline BL08U1A at SSRF has been recently conducted. The energy range is 180–2050 eV, the energy resolution can reach up to 16333 @ 244 eV and 12730 @ 401 eV, and the photon flux measured in the experimental station is over 2.45 × 10⁹ photons s⁻¹ (E/ΔE = 6440 @ 244 eV).

MuscleX: data analysis software for fiber diffraction patterns from muscle

MuscleX is an integrated, open-source computer software suite for data reduction of X-ray fiber diffraction patterns from striated muscle as well as other fibrous systems.

In situ characterization of stresses, deformation and fracture of thin films using transmission X-ray nanodiffraction microscopy. Corrigendum

Errors in variable subscripts, equations and Fig. 8 in Section 3.2 of the article by Lotze et al. [(2024). J. Synchrotron Rad. 31, 42–52] are corrected.