
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
Source |
1.9T Wiggler |
Available Energy range | 5 - 31 keV |
Optimal Energy range |
Mode 1: 5 - 9 keV using Si(111) Mode 2: 9 - 19 keV using Si(111) Mode 3: 15 - 31 keV using Si(311) |
Resolution deltaE/E | Crystal dependent: ~ 1.5x10-4 using Si(111) ~ 0.4x10-4 using Si(311) |
Nominal beam size at sample |
Approx 0.25 mm2 if fully focussed |
Photon flux at sample | 1010 to 1012 ph/s using Si(111) 109 to 1011 ph/s using Si(311) |
Harmonic content at 5-18 keV | < 10-5 |