The principal aim of the Microfocus Beamline (ID13) is to provide small focal spots for diffraction and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Both single crystal and scanning diffraction experiments are performed. Other applications, like scanning X-ray microfluorescence are feasible.

Experimental Hutch I -

Experimental Hutch II -

Experimental Hutch III

The beamline characteristics are as follows:

  • Primary Source: 18 mm period in-vacuum undulator optimized for 12.46 keV
  • Secondary Source: 46 mm period, fully tunable undulator
  • Incident photon energy: variable between about 5 keV (Be cut-off) and about 17 keV (mirror cut-off). Higher energies are accessible without focusing
  • Monochromatisation: liq. N2 cooled Si-111 double crystal or Si-111 channel cut monochromators (in series)
  • Microgoniometer with 5/10/30 µm beam sizes. Used for protein crystallography, small unit cell crystallography, fibre diffraction and special applications. This hutch is now used for beam conditioning/diagnosis and no longer available for user experiments.
  • x/y/z Scanning setup with air bearing rotation and tilt options.
  • Microbeam optics by CRL's and defining collimator: ≥ 5 µm minimum beam size
  • Micron-sized beam by KB-mirror pair: ≈ 1.1 µm operational value
  • Suitable for in situ studies (deformation, microfludics, µRaman etc..)
  • Operational since 2007
  • 250 nm beams using KB-mirror optics
  • Target beam size: 50 nm or less
  • Dedicated X-ray fluorescence detector setup

Main Experimental Techniques

A broad range of materials are examined, from bio- and synthetic polymers to composites and minerals. The current set-ups allow examining single crystals (including proteins), fibres or extended samples. Below is a typical example of technique which are in regular use.

Please click the subject areas for more details.

Special set-ups

The availability of microbeams has led to the development of specific sample environments.

Please ask beamline staff for the availability of a specific set-up. For user-specific set-ups please contact beamline staff for adaptation to the beamline. A technical drawing (Solid Works or AutoCad) would be helpful.