Minimization of thermal deformation in crystal optics for high-repetition-rate FEL

Thermal deformation in X-ray crystal optics in high-repetition-rate X-ray free-electron lasers can be effectively reduced by cryogenic cooling with liquid nitro­gen, and possibly by second-order correction via focusing optics.

A double-crystal bent Laue parallel-beam compressor

An application of bent Laue crystals as X-ray optics to increase beam intensity in bending-magnet beamlines at synchrotron facilities is presented.

Framework for X-ray mirror surface shape fitting

The closed-form expressions for elliptic cylinders, hyperbolic cylinders, ellipsoids, hyperboloids, and diaboloids used for X-ray mirror surface shapes are summarized. Additionally, a four-layer framework to fit the measured surface shape data in slope or height for convenient X-ray mirror surface characterization is proposed.

Proposal of a novel APPLE-KNOT undulator by selecting the KNOT field as the dominant magnetic field

The degradation of circular polarization state in conventional APPLE-KNOT undulators has been noted. To overcome this limitation, we propose a novel APPLE-KNOT undulator design which utilizes the KNOT magnetic field as the dominant component.

X-ray waveguide optics at GINIX/P10 PETRA III: recent progress and future directions

X-ray waveguide optics enable spatial and coherence filtering of a nano-focused synchrotron beam and provide tailored illumination wavefronts for holographic imaging. Progress in fabrication, characterization and advanced waveguide interferometers can enhance holographic imaging.

A fast X-ray shutter for high-power beams

A fast thermally resilient X-ray shutter achieves 2 ms switching under heat loads above 20 W, enabling efficient photon use and minimizing radiation damage at fourth-generation synchrotron sources.

Multifunctional bending magnet beamline with a capillary optic for X-ray fluorescence studies of metals in tissue sections

We describe a bending magnet endstation for X-ray fluorescence studies of metal distributions in millimetre-sized biological specimens. An existing setup using Kirkpatrick–Baez mirrors with 10.5 µm spatial resolution was supplemented with a second scanning setup with a capillary optic with 6.5 µm resolution.

Experience with the Jungfrau-1M detector at Diamond Light Source

A Jungfrau-1M integrating detector was characterized at Diamond Light Source and found to be effective for recording macromolecular crystallography diffraction patterns. Parameters for operation and data collection were explored and characterized. The Diamond facility will be upgraded and integrating detectors, such as Jungfrau, will be used more widely in the future.

Increasing X-ray energy improves data quality in serial crystallography

Advanced serial crystallography utilizing high-energy X-rays enhances diffraction efficiency, data quality and structural resolution under room-temperature conditions.

Experimental control system of the X-ray magnetic circular dichroism endstation at Hefei Light Source-II

An Experimental Control System leveraging Bluesky and EPICS has been developed for the X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism endstation at Hefei Light Source-II. The design of a simulation debugging environment and the performance of three distinct scan modes have also been discussed.

Theoretical framework for soft X-ray Fourier transform spectroscopy using the Wigner function

A theoretical framework for the propagation of partially coherent Gaussian radiation in a modified Mach–Zehnder interferometer designed for Fourier transform spectroscopy applications is presented.

A compact two-electrode field-emission X-ray source for soft X-ray spectroscopy applications

Here, a compact two-electrode field-emission X-ray source employing a tungsten blade cathode was developed to deliver stable low-background output optimized for soft X-ray spectroscopy. The device's capability for high signal-to-noise element-specific analysis was demonstrated through successful TiO₂ emission spectroscopy at the SXFEL facility, offering a practical laboratory-scale alternative to synchrotron sources.

Non-uniform interval-pulse X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy for reduced exposure

In this work, non-uniform interval-pulse X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy enabled the measurement of dynamics efficiently while reducing X-ray exposure by two orders of magnitude. This approach facilitates dense delay-time sampling and minimizes radiation damage, offering a powerful tool for studying sensitive systems.

Fluorescence-line-selective soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy: a novel approach to element-specific electronic structure analysis

Fluorescence-line-selective soft X-ray spectroscopy using a superconducting tunnel junction (STJ) detector was applied to probe the electronic states of strontium titanate, demonstrating the capability of the STJ detector for high-energy-resolution soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Signal-to-noise and spatial resolution in in-line imaging. 3. Optimization using a simple model

Geometrical magnification and X-ray energy are optimized with respect to spatial resolution, contrast, noise, radiation dose and other image quality characteristics. The optimization is performed using a simple theoretical model of a homogeneous edge feature embedded in a bulk uniform sample, and the resulting generic analytical expressions for image quality characteristics are evaluated for several sets of parameters relevant to synchrotron-based in-line X-ray imaging setups.

Errors in reconstruction of dichroic X-ray orientation tomography due to polarization rotation of the incident beam

Linear dichroic X-ray tomography is a technique in which the linear dichroism of anisotropic materials is used to image crystal orientation in three dimensions. We show that the reconstruction of tomograms is subject to errors due to the change in polarization on propagation through the material and propose strategies for mitigating these effects.

Time-resolved 3D imaging opportunities with XMPI at ForMAX

The first implementation of X-ray multi-projection imaging (XMPI) at the ForMAX beamline (MAX IV) enables the acquisition of multiple projections simultaneously without requiring sample rotation. This approach facilitates volumetric studies of fast dynamics at frame rates of 12.5 kHz with micrometre resolution, with the potential of even higher speeds, surpassing the limitations of state-of-the-art methods like time-resolved tomography.

Defocused illumination with beam-shaping condenser for uniform wide-field X-ray imaging

A defocused illumination method based on a beam-shaping condenser to suppress fringe artifacts arising from rectangular aperture diffraction and sub-grating interference is developed, providing an effective and practical approach for achieving wide-field and uniform illumination in X-ray microscopy.

Demonstration of a family of X-ray dark-field retrieval approaches on a common set of samples

This study aims to guide users of dark-field imaging in selecting the most suitable technique for their imaging goals. To this end, we provide a summary table and highlight opportunities for future research into the sources of dark-field contrast across emerging methods.

Machine learning assisted masking of parasitic signals in Bragg coherent diffraction imaging

Bragg coherent diffraction imaging measurement sometimes requires manual and time-consuming cleaning of parasitic signals termed `aliens' from nearby particles that can affect the phase retrieval reconstruction. Here, we propose using a clustering technique to speed up this process while keeping the resolution of the reconstructed object high. A user-friendly Python Jupyter notebook program is available on Github.

An accelerated framework for high-resolution X-ray holographic reconstruction

HiHolo, a high-performance CUDA-MPI software framework for X-ray holographic reconstruction, achieves performance improvement over existing solutions while introducing three enhanced iterative algorithms that effectively reduce artifacts and improve spatial resolution in propagation-based phase contrast imaging.

High-speed qu­antitative X-ray multi-contrast imaging with deep learning based modulated pattern analysis

This work presents a neural-network framework that accelerates X-ray multi-contrast imaging—simultaneously delivering absorption, phase, and dark-field, while maintaining high spatial resolution, and outperforms correlation-based methods in speed, achieving a favorable balance between resolution and throughput. The method is agnostic to the modulation source (sandpaper, coded masks, gratings), enabling flexible deployment across setups and supporting real-time 2D/3D quantitative imaging for high-speed, in situ studies in materials science and biomedical applications.

Coherence evaluation and first demonstration of multi-contrast X-ray computed tomography on NanoTerasu BL09W with an X-ray Talbot interferometer

Coherence properties were evaluated and multi-contrast X-ray computed tomography was demonstrated using an X-ray Talbot interferometer on the NanoTerasu beamline BL09W. The results confirm the high spatial coherence and imaging performance of the source, paving the way for advanced X-ray phase imaging.

Comparing image quality of synchrotron and laboratory nano-CT scans: a round robin study

A multi-facility round-robin comparison of synchrotron- and laboratory-based nano-computed tomography using a standardized 3D phantom reveals superior resolution and acquisition speed at synchrotrons, while advanced laboratory systems achieve competitive image quality with extended scan times; phase contrast modalities further enhance structural visibility.

Simultaneous lasing of Ni Kα and Cu Kα lasers from an alloy foil irradiated with an intense X-ray free-electron laser pulse

We successfully achieved simultaneous lasing of 7.48 keV Ni Kα₁ and 8.05 keV Cu Kα₁ emissions using an intense X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) pulse. This achievement – the realization of simultaneous two-color X-ray lasing using a single-color XFEL pulse – is expected to advance the development of X-ray lasers and their applications.

The design of a low-cost 3D printed flow cell for synchrotron computed microtomography

We present and demonstrate the use of a low-cost 3D printed flow cell for the study of liquid–solid systems using synchrotron computed microtomography. The designs are freely available with this publication.

High-throughput X-ray total scattering measurement system at BL04B2 of SPring-8

A high-throughput X-ray total scattering system was newly installed in BL04B2, achieving more than ten times faster acquisition times than those of the conventional setup.

A dedicated beamline for wide-energy-range X-ray spectroscopy at SSRF: combining soft and hard X-ray capabilities

A wide-range beamline (130–10000 eV) combining both soft X-ray and hard X-ray photons has been constructed at SSRF for in situ X-ray photoemission spectroscopy investigations of the solid–gas interface, and for hard X-ray photoemission spectroscopy studies with layer-by-layer resolution.

High-energy synchrotron X-ray multimodal computed tomography: enabling multiscale materials characterization at NSLS-II

The development of multimodal X-ray computed tomography capabilities, including imaging, fluorescence, diffraction, and scattering, at the 28-ID-2 beamline of the National Synchrotron Light Source II is described.

X-ray computed tomography scanning schemes and reconstruction capabilities at the BAMline (BESSY II)

An X-ray computed tomography scanning approach available at the BAMline effectively removes ring artifacts and enables real-time preview reconstruction through sequence-based step-scanning. Additionally, integrated X-ray spectral calculation software streamlines beamline adjustments for optimized imaging performance.

Channel-cut monochromator withstanding incident powers above 400 W on undulator beamlines. Corrigendum

Corrigendum to the article by Yamazaki et al. [(2026). J. Synchrotron Rad. 33, 84–90].