An IAEA multi-technique X-ray spectrometry endstation at Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste: benchmarking results and interdisciplinary applications

Abstract

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) jointly with the Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste (EST) operates a multipurpose X-ray spectrometry endstation at the X-ray Fluorescence beamline (10.1L). The facility has been available to external users since the beginning of 2015 through the peer-review process of EST. Using this collaboration framework, the IAEA supports and promotes synchrotron-radiation-based research and training activities for various research groups from the IAEA Member States, especially those who have limited previous experience and resources to access a synchrotron radiation facility. This paper aims to provide a broad overview about various analytical capabilities, intrinsic features and performance figures of the IAEA X-ray spectrometry endstation through the measured results. The IAEA-EST endstation works with monochromatic X-rays in the energy range 3.7-14 keV for the Elettra storage ring operating at 2.0 or 2.4 GeV electron energy. It offers a combination of different advanced analytical probes, e.g. X-ray reflectivity, X-ray absorption fine-structure measurements, grazing-incidence X-ray fluorescence measurements, using different excitation and detection geometries, and thereby supports a comprehensive characterization for different kinds of nanostructured and bulk materials.

A study of the influence of chemical environment on the Li (i = 1–3) subshell X‐ray intensity ratios and the L3 absorption‐edge energy for some compounds of 66Dy using synchrotron radiation

“…The measurements were performed by placing the target at 45° with respect to the incident beam direction under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. The ultrahigh vacuum chamber is equipped with seven‐axis manipulator for precise alignment of the target orientation with respect to the incident beam and detector axis . The monochromatic beam is allowed to pass through a 12‐μm nominal thickness diamond detector before reaching the target in order to record and monitor possible fluctuations in the incident photon beam intensity.…”

“…The fluorescent X ‐rays emitted from the target were detected using a silicon drift detector (XFlash 5030: 30 mm 2 × 450 μm, FWHM~131 eV at 5.89 keV, super light element window, Bruker Nano GmbH, Germany) coupled to a digital pulse processor (Bruker Nano GmbH, Germany) providing detector bias supply, pile up rejection, input/output rate meter, dead time correction using an internal “zero” peak and selectable shaping time constants in the range (0.89–6.1 μs). The details of the data acquisition and control systems are given elsewhere . A typical L X ‐ray spectrum from the Dy 2 O 3 target and that from the pure cellulose pellet recorded at the 9.8‐keV incident photon energy (E inc ) is shown in Figure .…”

“…The detector efficiency ratios (ε Lα /ε Lk ) in the energy region 5–10 keV have been deduced from the detector efficiency determined by Karydas et al using the detector parameters provided by the manufacturer. It may be mentioned that this ratio is ~1 in the energy region of current interest.…”

Cascade Mi (i = 1–5) subshell X‐ray emission at incident photon energies across the Lj (j = 1–3) subshell absorption edges of 66Dy

“…The size (201 × 106 μm 2 ) of X‐ray beam at the target position is controlled using fixed opening by exit slits. The present measurements have been performed at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experimental station, IAEAXspe by placing the target at 45° with respect to the incident beam direction under ultra‐high vacuum conditions. The IAEAXspe instrument is equipped with a seven‐axis manipulator for the precise alignment of target orientation with respect to the incident beam and the detector axis .…”

“…The present measurements have been performed at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experimental station, IAEAXspe by placing the target at 45° with respect to the incident beam direction under ultra‐high vacuum conditions. The IAEAXspe instrument is equipped with a seven‐axis manipulator for the precise alignment of target orientation with respect to the incident beam and the detector axis . The monochromatic beam passes through a 12‐μm nominal thickness diamond detector before reaching the target in order to record and monitor possible fluctuations in the incident photon beam intensity.…”