X-ray absorption spectroscopy

X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) is a versatile tool for chemistry, biology, and materials science. By probing how x-rays are absorbed from core electrons of atoms in a sample, the technique can reveal the local structure around selected atoms.

Techniques available

Hutch B:

The first experimental hutch is optimised for transmission and fluorescence XAS on "standard samples" in standard sample holders. This hutch supports the use of transmission ionization chambers, a solid state Ge fluorescence detector, a PIPS detector, soller slits and filters, a fast beam shutter, a 10K cryostat, capillary heating, and a room temperature sample stage. In order to use this experimental hutch, samples/environments must fit inside our cryostat, or inside our room temperature sample stage, or on top of the room temperature stage stack. Some in-situ setups can be accommodated - please contact the beamline team to discuss your specific requirements.

Hutch C:

The second experimental hutch is designed to allow "non-standard samples" in non-standard sample holders / user supplied sample environments. To establish technical feasibility you must contact the beamline team well in advance of proposal submission. The optical table is equipped with three ionization chambers, a solid state Ge fluorescence detector, one set of slits, and motorised stages for user-supplied equipment. Note that there is no harmonic rejection available in this hutch and as such only experiments at the Fe K-edge and above are feasible (> 7 keV).

• Standard samples: e.g. powders, films, or liquids that fit in our standard sample holders.
• Non-standard samples: e.g. large, fragile, radioactive, or bio-hazards that do not fit in our standard sample holders, and would often be mounted in user-supplied sample environments.

Photon delivery system

Beamtime