Air artifact suppression in phase contrast micro-CT using conditional generative adversarial networks

A novel workflow using conditional generative adversarial networks (cGANs) to remove/suppress air artifacts in phase contrast micro-computed tomography, improving visualization and facilitating structural analysis, is described.

The OÆSE endstation at BESSY II: operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy for energy materials

The OÆSE endstation at EMIL at the BESSY II synchrotron facility in Berlin allows real-time investigation of energy materials through operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The possibility to use soft, tender, and hard X-rays combined with versatile operando sample environments enables the study of a wide range of energy materials under relevant operation conditions.

A high-energy Laue X-ray emission spectrometer at the FXE instrument at the European XFEL

A new X-ray spectrometer for high photon energies based on Laue analyzer crystals is presented. Its performance in terms of energy resolution and efficiency is discussed. Niobium Kα and Kβ emission data collected with this Laue spectrometer are given.

Structural dependency of polymer dynamics by means of small-angle X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy and wide-angle X-ray scattering on the D2AM beamline

The BM02/D2AM beamline at the ESRF is shown to be suitable for performing X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy experiments with a flux that prevents samples' irradiation effects, features particularly suitable for polymer-based materials.

Optical design and commissioning results of a constant-imaging-distance fixed-included-angle grating monochromator at SSRF

A constant-imaging-distance fixed-included-angle grating monochromator has been designed and constructed at the X-ray test beamline at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility to expand the covered energy range of the beamline.

High-resolution in situ characterization of laser powder bed fusion via transmission X-ray microscopy at X-ray free-electron lasers

The first implementation of an operando transmission X-ray microscopy to study laser melting at X-ray free-electron lasers is described. The instrument uses a novel pump–probe scheme to image down to 940 nm spatial resolution with integration times <100 fs and up to 0.48 GHz frame rates to study the rapid dynamics and small-scale features in laser additive manufacturing.

Enhancing synchrotron radiation micro-CT images using deep learning: an application of Noise2Inverse on bone imaging

The use of Noise2Inverse in low-dose in situ synchrotron micro-computed tomography experiments shows high feasibility and promise for biological tissues such as bone. With appropriate scanning parameters and experimental setup, features in bone such as lacunae volume and shape as well as mineralization can be reasonably preserved while reducing radiation dose by two to three times.

Advances in macromolecular crystallography at the Photon Factory: automation from crystallization to structural determination

The Structural Biology Research Center at the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization has developed advanced systems for macromolecular crystallography, including an automated crystallization screening system, a long-wavelength crystallography beamline and an automated data-collection system.

High-resolution X-ray scanning with a diffuse Huffman-patterned probe to reduce radiation damage

This paper introduces high-resolution imaging using diffuse probes, which allow for lower energy deposition per unit area per unit time, by encoding Huffman-like patterns onto them, enabling a tighter impulse response. The approach, demonstrated in X-ray imaging, involves using specially fabricated masks to shape the probe and recover sharp object images through robust deconvolution.

Development of portable nanofocusing optics for X-ray free-electron laser pulses

A portable and compact nanofocusing system was developed for X-ray free-electron lasers with the ability to generate Zn Kα lasers with the world's highest photon energies on amplified spontaneous emission.

Discorpy: algorithms and software for camera calibration and correction

Discorpy, a Python package for camera calibration, provides robust tools to independently correct radial and perspective distortion of varying strengths using a single calibration image.

Counting multiple X-rays per pulse with an avalanche photodiode detector

Avalanche photodiode detectors at synchrotron sources can now be used at much higher count rates due to improved digital signal processing.

Machine learning for orbit steering in the presence of nonlinearities

A machine learning (ML)-based method for beam orbit correction in circular particle accelerators is explored. Traditional correction techniques rely on the response matrix. Nonlinear elements, like those in the upcoming SLS 2.0 at the Paul Scherrer Institut, challenge the effectiveness of response-matrix-based methods. The ML approach promises to handle nonlinearities and large perturbations more efficiently. A potential limitation of ML models—dimensional changes after optimization—is also addressed, and a solution to enhance model robustness is proposed, paving the way for more reliable and efficient beam steering.

Global cross-database search system for X-ray absorption spectra

A portal to cross-search XAFS databases worldwide has been created and the unification of vocabulary and knowledge behind it are discussed.

Current and future perspectives for structural biology at the Grenoble EPN campus: a comprehensive overview

Details on the current status of the experimental techniques available at the ESRF–EBS and ILL research infrastructures are provided. Major contributions made by the EMBL, ESRF, ILL and IBS to the structural biology field are described, including future prospects at the EPN campus

Method for visualizing detailed profiles of synchrotron X-ray beams using diamond-thin films and silicon drift detectors

The presented measurement using a silicon drift detector allows us to observe the photon beam center of undulator radiation without the influence of bending magnet radiation.

Development of a multi-functional chamber for resonant X-ray scattering experiments in the tender X-ray regime at the PAL-XFEL

A multi-functional chamber at the Femtosecond X-ray Scattering endstation of the PAL-XFEL is introduced, developed for time-resolved resonant X-ray scattering experiments in the tender X-ray regime (2–5 keV).

Ultimate brightness of a medium-energy synchrotron light source at operational beam intensity

Recent studies of the ultimate brightness limits of medium-energy synchrotron light sources at operational beam intensities are summarized, focusing on how collective effects, such as intrabeam scattering and bunch lengthening, influence beam emittance and brightness. The study identifies optimal beam and machine parameters that balance these effects to maximize brightness for user experiments.

Macromolecular crystallography and biology at the Linac Coherent Light Source

The significant advancements in biological research enabled by the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) are explored. By offering ultra-bright, coherent X-ray pulses with femtosecond durations, LCLS has revolutionized the study of biological molecules and their dynamic processes. Techniques such as serial femtosecond crystallography leverage these unique properties, allowing researchers to image complex biomolecular structures at atomic resolutions and in near-native conditions. The ability to perform time-resolved studies and observe real-time interactions at the molecular level provides deeper insights into mechanisms underlying biological functions. The discussions presented highlight key studies and innovations facilitated by LCLS, underlining its critical role in advancing both fundamental biological knowledge and applied sciences such as drug development.

Determining the optimal choice of attenuation filters and propagation distance for polychromatic phase-contrast micro-computed tomography of a multi-material electromotor using synchrotron radiation

Optimizing phase-contrast micro-computed tomography for a given object is not trivial if the radiation is polychromatic and the object multi-material. This study demonstrates how an optimal combination of propagation distance and mean energy may be derived for such an object – an electromotor scanned on beamline BM18 at ESRF, France.

The High Energy diffraction beamline at the Canadian Light Source

The performance of the High Energy beamline of the Brockhouse Sector of the Canadian Light Source is described in terms of flux, bandwidth, divergence, and focus of the beam. Its uses include high energy penetrating diffraction, high pressure diffraction, and pair distribution function studies.

Macromolecular crystallography at Elettra: current and future perspectives

The XRD2 beamline at Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste has been in operation since 2018 and is dedicated to macromolecular crystallography for both academic and industrial research, a role partially fulfilled, before 2018, by XRD1, a general-purpose diffraction beamline. With the upcoming Elettra 2.0 upgrade, based on a six-bend enhanced achromat lattice, the synchrotron will offer a brighter, more powerful beam to address evolving challenges in crystallography.

The macromolecular crystallography beamlines of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin at the BESSY II storage ring: history, current status and future directions

The history, current state and future directions of the three MX beamlines BL14.1, BL14.2 and BL14.3 of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin at the BESSY II electron storage ring are described.

Design of a time-delay-compensated monochromator for the ARPES endstation at S³FEL

This work presents the design and expected performance of an Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy (ARPES) branchline at the Shenzhen Superconducting Soft X-ray Free Electron Laser (S³FEL). The branchline employs a symmetric time-delay-compensated monochromator (TDCM) for spectral selection and pulse duration preservation. Numerical optimization using the six-dimensional K-matrix method and Fourier optics simulation shows that the TDCM can achieve a time–bandwidth product approaching the Fourier-transform limit.

Status and perspective of protein crystallography at the first multi-bend achromat based synchrotron MAX IV

A comprehensive overview of the protein crystallography beamlines BioMAX and MicroMAX is given. This work introduces FragMAX, a platform for early drug discovery as well potential opportunities for protein crystallography at FemtoMAX, a beamline dedicated to ultrafast experiments.

P21.1 at PETRA III – a high-energy X-ray diffraction beamline for physics and chemistry

A detailed description of the technical specifications of beamline P21.1 at the PETRA III storage ring is given. It serves as a reference for the beamline user community and, by giving a number of scientific examples, we hope to inspire future experiments.

TXM-Pal: a companion software for advanced data processing in spectroscopic X-ray microscopy

Advanced software for X-ray spectroscopy imaging has been developed, enabling precise and rapid XANES imaging analysis. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated by mapping the Ni oxidation states in lithium-ion battery cathodes, thereby revealing their heterogeneity.