Long-term timing stabilization for pump–probe experiments at SACLA

A timing control system to stabilize the long-term timing drift between X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) and optical laser pulses has been developed by utilizing an out-of-loop balanced optical-microwave phase detector and an arrival-timing monitor. The timing jitter and drift between the XFEL and the optical laser pulses have been reduced to less than 50 fs (RMS) over ∼49 h.

Compensation for the source drift of a free-electron laser beamline by adjusting the fixed-focus constant of the grating monochromator

A method for compensating for the source drift of a free-electron laser beamline by adjusting the C_ff value of a grating monochromator is introduced.

Pump–probe reciprocal-space mapping using energy-resolved XFEL pink beam pulses

Pump–probe 3D X-ray reciprocal-space mapping (RSM) is devised using energy-resolved pulses in self-amplified spontaneous emission X-ray free-electron laser beams. Extended 3D RSMs covering both the diffuse scattering and the Bragg rod in an NiO thin film were obtained.

Resolution enhancement on single-shot X-ray spectrometers using a detuned non-dispersive multi-crystal analyzer

Resolution enhancement on a single-shot X-ray spectrometer with a detuned non-dispersive multi-crystal analyzer is proposed and demonstrated, indicating the promising potential for capturing the full spectral information, including the fine-spike structure in self-amplified spontaneous emission X-ray free-electron laser radiation.

Macromolecular crystallography from an industrial perspective – the impact of synchrotron radiation on structure-based drug discovery

Structure-based drug design has been a critical component of drug discovery for over 30 years, contributing to numerous approved drugs. The paper discusses the approach taken by AstraZeneca (Sweden) to synchrotron data collection for supporting a large portfolio of drug discovery projects and provides examples to demonstrate the continued importance of experimental structures.

Macromolecular crystallography at SPring-8 and SACLA

This paper presents the development of instrumentation and macromolecular crystallography methods at the third-generation synchrotron facility SPring-8 and X-ray free electron laser facility SACLA. The aim is to facilitate rapid structural analysis from highly challenging protein crystals.

Novel fixed-target serial crystallography flip-holder for macromolecular crystallography beamlines at synchrotron radiation sources

We present the development of a novel fixed-target flip-holder for synchrotron serial crystallography. This holder simplifies the sample handling process, reduces dehydration risks, and enables efficient crystallography experiments with minimal sample consumption, demonstrated through successful lysozyme crystal structure determination at room temperature.

ULtimate MAGnetic characterization (ULMAG) at the ID12 beamline of ESRF: from element-specific properties to macroscopic functionalities

We present a novel instrument at ID12 (ESRF) capable of simultaneously measuring element-specific microscopic and macroscopic properties related to the magnetic, electronic and structural characteristics of functional materials.

Controlling beam trajectory and transport in a tapered helical undulator

In this work the transport of low energy electrons through helical magnetic undulators is discussed with application for THz generation in waveguide free-electron lasers. To optimize beam transmission, the off-axis fields sampled by low energy beams are tuned with a 3D pulsed-wire measurement technique that reveals localized errors in the quadrupole and sextupole field moments.

Modelling undulators in ray tracing simulations

The theory and models implemented in the undulator sources of the ray tracing code SHADOW4 are described.

Mixed gain detector configurations for time-resolved X-ray solution scattering

The linearity of the intensity response of the ePix10k detector in mixed gain configurations is evaluated for solution phase scattering experiments at the LCLS.

MYTHEN III: advancements in single photon counting detectors for synchrotron powder diffraction experiments

This paper describes in detail the upgraded MYTHEN III single photon counting microstrip detector developed for powder diffraction, and its performance.

Enhancing high-energy powder X-ray diffraction applications using a PILATUS4 CdTe detector

Demonstrations are presented of a PILATUS4 CdTe hybrid photon counting detector prototype for high-energy powder X-ray diffraction in materials, chemical and energy research at up to 4 kHz frame rate.

Massive compression for high data rate macromolecular crystallography (HDRMX): impact on diffraction data and subsequent structural analysis

New higher-count-rate, integrating, large-area X-ray detectors with framing rates as high as 17400 images per second are beginning to be available. These will soon be used for specialized macromolecular crystallography experiments but will require optimal lossy compression algorithms to enable systems to keep up with data throughput. Some information may be lost. Can we minimize this loss with acceptable impact on structural information?

Probing soft X-ray induced photoreduction of a model Mn-complex at cryogenic conditions

This controlled radiation damage study at different temperatures allows the approaches to measuring radiation-damage-free/limited spectra from redox-sensitive metalloenzymes and metal complexes in the soft X-ray regime at synchrotrons to be refined.

Local structure of solid and liquid gold probed by reverse Monte Carlo analysis of X-ray absorption data

This study demonstrates the validation of the RMC-GNXAS method including two- and three-body EXAFS signals for the local structure analysis of both solid and liquid Au as a benchmark for the study of heavy noble metal systems.

Image registration for accurate electrode deformation analysis in operando microscopy of battery materials

We applied advanced image-processing techniques, including fast Fourier transform analysis, image registration and optical flow, to mitigate artifacts caused by system instabilities and accurately track battery electrode deformations during operation. This approach improves the reliability of high-resolution operando imaging, providing deeper insights into battery degradation and enhancing our understanding of chemomechanical interactions in battery performance.

New online beam intensity synchronous monitoring system in scanning transmission X-ray microscopy

A new online beam intensity synchronous monitoring system has been designed which can precisely and synchronously monitor X-ray beam intensity variations. This can be used to remove noise due to electron injection from STXM images, thereby markedly improving the quality of STXM imaging.

Deep learning-based spatio-temporal fusion for high-fidelity ultra-high-speed X-ray radiography

A deep learning-based algorithm is developed and evaluated that demonstrates the potential to reconstruct simultaneously high-resolution high-frame-rate X-ray image sequences with high fidelity through spatio-temporal fusion. Experimental evaluation shows that the method can significantly improve the accuracy of the reconstruction, achieving an average peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of more than 35 dB on two representative X-ray image sequences with input data streams of four times lower spatial resolution and 20 times lower frame rate, respectively.

Multi-stage deep learning artifact reduction for parallel-beam computed tomography

An illustration of the synchrotron-based computed tomography pipeline is given, highlighting the three key processing stages — projection, sinogram and reconstruction — each incorporating multiple processing steps to enhance image quality.

The current status and future prospects of the Synchrotron Radiation Protein Crystallography Core Facility at NSRRC: a focus on the TPS 05A, TPS 07A and TLS 15A1 beamlines

The SPXF has revolutionized structural biology research through its advanced light sources, enabling crucial breakthroughs in disease research. The facility's integration of automation and cutting-edge techniques provides world-class resources for global researchers.

Development of the Nanobeam X-ray Experiments instrument at PAL-XFEL

The Nanobeam X-ray Experiments (NXE) instrument at the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory X-ray Free Electron Laser (PAL-XFEL) is introduced. The NXE instrument enables users to conduct X-ray experiments with nanofocused X-rays.

Present and future structural biology activities at DESY and the European XFEL

Facilities for structural biology investigations at DESY and the European XFEL are described.

Compact laser-driven plasma X-ray source for time-resolved diffraction, spectroscopy and imaging experiments at ELI Beamlines

A laser-driven plasma X-ray source with sub-picosecond pulses at 1 kHz repetition rate for various time-resolved experiments has been commissioned at ELI Beamlines. This article features a comprehensive overview of the driving-laser parameters and X-ray beam characteristics and outlines possible applications of the source.

Design and implementation of a user office system for the Canadian Light Source

An open-source software system for managing user office operations at a large-scale research facility is presented.