Time-Resolved Small-Angle X-ray Scattering Combined with Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering

Abstract

The high X-ray intensity of synchrotron radiation (SR) beamlines makes it possible to perform time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments. The information that can be obtained by collecting the wideangle diffraction pattern simultaneously not only increases the information content of an experiment but also increases the reliability of the time-correlations between SAXS and WAXS (wide-angle X-ray scattering) patterns. This is a great advantage for experiments with a time resolution below the level of 1 s per frame. With appropriate instrumentation, this is a time domain that is routinely accessible for a large group of research fields. This has had a considerable impact upon the understanding of fundamental aspects of phase transformations. Not only fundamental processes but also more applied fields have benefited from these developments. In polymer research this has led to a situation in which it has become possible to simulate materials processing techniques on-line. With the advent of thirdgeneration synchrotron-radiation sources (e.g. ESRF, APS, Spring8), it has become possible to develop SAXS/WAXS beamlines that will open up new research opportunities by utilizing the higher intensity, the tuneability and the higher collimation offered by these SR sources. However, some of the instrumentation limits in detector and sample environments that have become apparent in research on second-generation synchrotron-radiation sources still have not been appropriately addressed, which means that in some fields it will not be possible to take full advantage of the superior X-ray beam quality that third-generation synchrotrons can offer. A way in which these instrumentation limits can be overcome is discussed, and the instrumentation for a new bending-magnet beamline at the ESRF is used as an example.

Small-Angle X-ray Scattering of Polymers

“…They also noted that the instrumentation limits in the detectors and the sample environmental chambers have hindered the experiments with shorter time resolution. For this purpose, Bras described the improved design of a dedicated station for real-time SAXS/WAXD experiments on a bending magnet beamline at the ESRF , and the development of a high-count-rate-curved PSD (1 MHz per channel) based on the microstrip gas counter (MSGC) technology for WAXD . Laggner and co-workers also reported the design of a dedicated wiggler beamline for SAXS/WAXD measurements at ELETTRA .…”

Applications of synchrotron radiation micro-focus techniques to the study of polymer and biopolymer fibers

“…Data collection on single, large area CCD or future pixel detectors [50] will simplify data collection as compared to separated SAXS/WAXS detectors schemes [51].…”

XFD progress report.

“…Unlike Bonse-Hart SAXS cameras, the inline camera allows for fast data acquisition and makes possible time-resolved studies, as demonstrated for lower energy x-rays (Bras & Ryan, 1997). …”