Journal of Synchrotron Radiation welcomes seven new Co-editors

The newest seven members of the Editorial Board of Journal of Synchrotron Radiation are introduced.

Generation of tunable dual X-ray pulses in synchrotron light sources

A novel method employing a double RF system and transverse deflecting cavities is proposed to generate tunable double X-ray pulses with adjustable transverse separation and time delay in electron storage rings. This approach offers new experimental possibilities such as X-ray pump and X-ray probe studies.

Design and performances of a compact differential pumping unit for X-ray beamlines

We present a compact differential pumping unit with apertures ≥500 µm. It allows windowless operation for in-air sample environments as well as to connect low-quality in-vacuum sample environments to the beamline UHV section. The unit also protects the UHV section from accidental venting. The overall footprint is restricted to 368 mm on the beam axis.

Ultra-thin (<2 µm) silicon carbide free-standing membranes as beam position monitors for soft and tender X-ray beamlines

The use of ultra-thin (<2 µm) silicon carbide membranes as in-line beam intensity and position monitors for soft and tender X-ray beamlines is investigated. Experimental results and theoretical simulations highlight the limitations of four-quadrant sensor designs, and alternative solutions for high-resolution and minimally interfering beam monitoring are proposed.

High-throughput X-ray spectroscopy: characterization of the ARDESIA detector with high-end digital pulse processors

Digital pulse processors (DPPs) have revolutionized X-ray spectroscopy through their advanced real-time signal processing and analysis capabilities. This paper presents a detailed evaluation of the performance of an ARDESIA-16 silicon-drift-detector-based fluorescence detector with two state-of-the-art DPP systems, DANTE+ and FalconX, examining their performance in high-throughput X-ray spectroscopy applications.

Tender X-ray diffraction anomalous fine structure spectroscopy applied to the study of PbSc_0.5Nb_0.5O₃ relaxor ferroelectric oxide

At the SIRIUS beamline of Synchrotron SOLEIL, the use of the DAFS technique has been extended to the tender X-ray range. We present a study of the Nb L₃-edge in PbSc_0.5Nb_0.5O₃ relaxor ferroelectric oxide, where the use of superstructure reflections provides access to the ordered part of the sample.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy of lanmodulin-derived peptides bound to rare earth elements

This study uses X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to observe the structural and electronic differences of coordination complexes of lanthanides (La, Ce, Pr and Nd) bound by lanmodulin-derived peptides and other organic chelators in aqueous solution. The reported sensitivity of XAS for subtle changes in lanthanide coordination environment supports its use in designing more selective REE-binding ligands for separations.

Response of pheochromocytoma neuronal cells to varying intensity of continuous wave terahertz radiation

PC 12 neuron-like cells were exposed to terahertz (THz) radiation of variable beam incident power intensity from 0.25 to 1.0 W m⁻². THz irradiation activated the CaN complex, ribosome biogenesis and DNA damage reparation.

Energy-synchronized X-ray absorption spectroscopy photoemission electron microscopy at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) for materials science

This study develops the energy-resolved photoemission electron microscopy imaging and micro-zone X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) method. By integrating X-ray magnetic circular dichroism, X-ray magnetic linear dichroism and micro-zone XAS, we have achieved spatially resolved electronic structure mapping and magnetic property analysis at the nanoscale level. We have also developed a gap–monochromator linkage control system to optimize photon flux and its stability.

Nano-laminography with a transmission X-ray microscope

A full-field, X-ray nano-laminography system implemented with the transmission X-ray microscope at beamline 32-ID of the upgraded Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory is demonstrated.

Signal-to-noise and spatial resolution in in-line imaging. 2. Phase-contrast tomography

A biomedical X-ray imaging quality characteristic, suitable for quantitative assessment of X-ray images of biological samples, is introduced and then applied to analysis of propagation-based X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography images of mastectomy samples.

High magnification optical imaging systems for the characterization of soft X-ray focii

We developed compact soft X-ray imaging systems optimized for ultra-high-vacuum environments, achieving micrometer-level spatial resolution with high collection efficiency. Characterization confirmed excellent sensitivity and linearity, with applications demonstrated in caustic measurements and grating interferometry for wavefront analysis.

Three-dimensional structure of printer toner visualized using cryogenic X-ray diffraction imaging tomography

The nonuniform internal structure of a printer-toner particle with an approximate size of 5 µm was visualized at a resolution of 141 nm using cryogenic X-ray diffraction imaging tomography.

Multi-modal strain mapping of steel crack tips with micrometre spatial resolution

Multi-modal measurements combining X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and optical microscopy allow dynamic crystal recovery effects around martensitic steel crack tips to be studied. The measured strain field around the crack tip shows a significant departure from the predictions of linear elastic fracture mechanics.

In situ propagation-based lung computed tomography for large animal models

A method for in situ imaging of human-sized animal lungs using the Imaging and Medical Beamline (IMBL) at the Australian Synchrotron is presented.

Computational corrections for anisotropic absorption in tensor tomography

We investigate the effect of anisotropic absorption of scattered X-rays in X-ray diffraction tomography and show that the detrimental effect on reconstruction is small in the range of absorption coefficients and scattering angles commonly used.

Automated alignment of XFEL nanofocusing mirrors via wavefront optimization

An automated alignment system for nanofocusing Kirkpatrick–Baez mirrors has been developed at SACLA. A wavefront optimization technique routinely provides nanofocused XFEL beams.

The P66 time-resolved VUV spectroscopy beamline at PETRA III storage ring of DESY

A comprehensive description of the technical details and science case of the recently opened beamline for time-resolved VUV spectroscopy at DESY, PETRA III, is presented.

High-resolution optical design of the sub-meV ARPES beamline at the Ultrafast Transient Experimental Facility

The Ultrafast Transient Experimental Facility at Chongqing University is developing an advanced ARPES beamline capable of 0.4 meV energy resolution within the 10–40 eV photon energy range, featuring photon flux over 10¹² photons s⁻¹, tunable polarization and ultra-low temperatures below 1.5 K. Leveraging a 0.5 GeV, 500–1000 mA storage ring, the design employs a dual-endstation setup for ultra-high-resolution and high-flux spin-resolved experiments.

Laser, vacuum and gas reaction chamber for operando measurements at NSLS-II's 28-ID-2

A laser reaction chamber has been developed for in situ/operando X-ray diffraction measurements on the NSLS-II 28-ID-2 beamline, allowing for rapid sample heating under various gas and vacuum conditions. This capability has enabled the tracking of chemical reaction kinetics in polycrystalline iron oxide and a reversible phase transformation in WTe₂ with 1 s time resolution, expanding the opportunities for dynamic studies in both bulk and single-crystal materials.

Commissioning of the Tender X-ray Beamline at the High Energy Photon Source

The High Energy Photon Source (HEPS) is the first fourth-generation synchrotron radiation source in China. In this paper, the diagnostic process of the Tender X-ray Beamline (TEX), the first bending magnet beamline of HEPS, and its performance are introduced in detail.

BL46XU: an applied hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy beamline HAXPES II at SPring-8

The BL46XU beamline at SPring-8 has been restructured for hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES), featuring two specialized HAXPES instruments and advanced X-ray optics for high-throughput and ambient-pressure measurements. This article outlines the beamline design, performance and recent scientific achievements enabled by these upgrades.

HoToPy: a toolbox for X-ray holo-tomography in Python

We present HoToPy, a toolbox for X-ray holo-tomography in Python. It offers state-of-the-art phase retrieval methods for synchrotron and laboratory sources as well as tomographic reconstruction and alignment methods.