The microscope's features give it a distinct character compared to similar instruments. The X-rays from the synchrotron, having passed through the initial beam separator, are normally incident on the surface. The microscope's energy analyzer and aberration corrector improve transmission and resolution over those of standard models. The newly introduced fiber-coupled CMOS camera's modulation transfer function, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio surpass the capabilities of the traditional MCP-CCD detection system in every respect.
Specifically designed for atomic, molecular, and cluster physics research, the Small Quantum Systems instrument operates as one of six instruments at the European XFEL. Following a commissioning phase, the instrument commenced user operations at the conclusion of 2018. Here, we present the design and characterization of the beam transport system. Detailed information about the X-ray optical components of the beamline is provided, as well as a report on the beamline's transmission and focusing capacities. Observations confirm that the X-ray beam can be focused effectively, in accordance with ray-tracing simulations. A study of the relationship between X-ray source imperfections and focusing performance is undertaken.
The study of X-ray absorption fine-structure (XAFS) experiments for ultra-dilute metalloproteins under in vivo conditions (T = 300K, pH = 7), conducted at the BL-9 bending-magnet beamline (Indus-2), is detailed, with the synthetic Zn (01mM) M1dr solution providing a comparable model. A four-element silicon drift detector facilitated the measurement of the M1dr solution's (Zn K-edge) XAFS. A robust first-shell fit, tested for its resistance to statistical noise, produced dependable nearest-neighbor bond results. The invariant results between physiological and non-physiological conditions underscore the robust coordination chemistry of Zn and its important biological consequences. Strategies for improving spectral quality to support higher-shell analysis are examined.
The precise internal coordinates of the measured crystals are frequently missing in Bragg coherent diffractive imaging analysis. Acquiring this data would facilitate investigations into the spatially-varying behavior of particles within the bulk of non-uniform materials, like exceptionally thick battery cathodes. This study details a method for pinpointing the three-dimensional location of particles, achieved through precise alignment along the instrument's rotational axis. A 60-meter-thick LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 battery cathode was used in the experiment reported, where particle locations were identified with an accuracy of 20 meters in the out-of-plane direction, and 1 meter in the in-plane coordinates.
The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility's enhancement of its storage ring has made ESRF-EBS the most brilliant high-energy fourth-generation light source, allowing in situ studies with unparalleled temporal precision. selleck chemicals llc Despite the widespread association of synchrotron beam radiation damage with the degradation of organic materials like polymers and ionic liquids, this study showcases that highly intense X-ray beams effectively induce structural changes and beam damage in inorganic materials as well. In iron oxide nanoparticles, the reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ by radicals in the ESRF-EBS beam, following its upgrade, is reported as a new phenomenon. A mixture of ethanol and water, at a 6% (by volume) ethanol concentration, undergoes radiolysis, resulting in radical creation. In-situ experiments, particularly those involving batteries and catalysis research, frequently use extended irradiation times. Accurate interpretation of the resulting in-situ data hinges on comprehension of beam-induced redox chemistry.
Synchrotron radiation-driven dynamic micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) at synchrotron light sources is a powerful method for analyzing changing microstructures. In the production of pharmaceutical granules, precursors to capsules and tablets, the wet granulation technique holds the highest level of usage. The influence of granule microstructures on product performance is widely understood, making dynamic computed tomography a significant potential application area. To showcase the dynamic capabilities of computed tomography, lactose monohydrate (LMH) powder was employed as a representative example. LMH's wet granulation, occurring at a rate of several seconds, is too fast for laboratory-based CT scanners to resolve the evolving internal structures in real-time. Data acquisition in sub-seconds, made possible by the high X-ray photon flux from synchrotron light sources, is well-suited for investigations into the wet-granulation process. Consequently, synchrotron radiation imaging, a non-destructive technique, does not necessitate any sample alteration and has the capability to increase image contrast with phase-retrieval algorithms. Dynamic CT reveals insights into wet granulation, a research area previously explored primarily through 2D and ex situ methods. Quantitative analysis of the internal microstructure evolution of an LMH granule, during the earliest moments of wet granulation, is achieved via dynamic CT and effective data-processing strategies. The findings presented in the results include granule consolidation, the ongoing change in porosity, and the influence of aggregates on granule porosity.
The visualization of low-density tissue scaffolds constructed from hydrogels is an essential but difficult aspect of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. For synchrotron radiation propagation-based imaging computed tomography (SR-PBI-CT), despite its potential, the ring artifacts observed in its imagery are a significant barrier. This research undertakes the task of incorporating SR-PBI-CT and the helical acquisition mode to resolve this issue (i.e. For the purpose of visualizing hydrogel scaffolds, the SR-PBI-HCT method was utilized. Investigating the effect of varying imaging parameters, including helical pitch (p), photon energy (E), and the number of projections per rotation (Np), on the image quality of hydrogel scaffolds was undertaken. This investigation culminated in optimizing these parameters to improve the image quality and minimize noise and artifacts. In vitro visualization of hydrogel scaffolds benefits substantially from SR-PBI-HCT imaging's ability to minimize ring artifacts at p = 15, E = 30 keV, and Np = 500. The results also highlight SR-PBI-HCT's ability to visualize hydrogel scaffolds with good contrast at a low radiation dose (342 mGy) and suitable voxel size (26 μm), enabling in vivo imaging. A systematic examination of hydrogel scaffold imaging techniques utilizing SR-PBI-HCT produced results demonstrating the capability of SR-PBI-HCT for visualizing and characterizing low-density scaffolds with high image quality in laboratory settings. The work significantly advances the ability to non-invasively visualize and characterize hydrogel scaffolds in vivo, while maintaining a suitable radiation dose.
Rice grain's elemental composition, including both nutrients and contaminants, affects human health through the specific chemical forms and locations of these elements within the grain structure. In order to ascertain plant elemental homeostasis and safeguard human health, methods for spatially determining element concentration and speciation are imperative. By comparing average rice grain concentrations of As, Cu, K, Mn, P, S, and Zn measured using quantitative synchrotron radiation microprobe X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) imaging to data from acid digestion and ICP-MS analysis of 50 samples, an evaluation was carried out. The two methods showed more uniform results in their application to high-Z elements. selleck chemicals llc The regression fits between the two methods were instrumental in creating quantitative concentration maps of the measured elements. Most elements, according to the maps, were predominantly located in the bran, but sulfur and zinc exhibited wider distribution, extending into the endosperm. selleck chemicals llc A notable concentration of arsenic was found within the ovular vascular trace (OVT), exceeding 100 milligrams per kilogram in the OVT of a grain from an As-polluted rice plant. Quantitative SR-XRF methodology, while suitable for comparing data across various studies, demands cautious attention to the particulars of sample preparation and beamline characteristics.
High-energy X-ray micro-laminography offers a means of observing inner and near-surface structures within dense planar objects, an approach not feasible with X-ray micro-tomography. Laminographic observations, demanding high resolution and high energy, leveraged an intense X-ray beam at 110 keV, created by a multilayer monochromator. A compressed fossil cockroach on a planar matrix was subjected to high-energy X-ray micro-laminography analysis. Wide-field-of-view observations were performed with an effective pixel size of 124 micrometers, while high-resolution observations utilized an effective pixel size of 422 micrometers. This analysis effectively displayed the near-surface structure, free from the often-present X-ray refraction artifacts that arise from external regions beyond the region of interest, a common flaw in tomographic imaging. Fossil inclusions within a planar matrix were visually depicted in another demonstration. Micro-fossil inclusions within the surrounding matrix, and the minute features of the gastropod shell, were observed with clarity. When using X-ray micro-laminography to study local structures in a dense planar object, the penetrating distance within the surrounding matrix can be lessened. X-ray micro-laminography's significant strength lies in its ability to isolate and effectively capture signals from the target region. Optimal X-ray refraction and minimal disruption by undesired interactions within the encompassing, dense matrix are key to this process. Subsequently, X-ray micro-laminography provides the capability to detect the minute details of local fine structures and slight variations in the image contrast of planar objects, features not apparent in a tomographic image.