First X-ray fluorescence CT experimental results at the SSRF X-ray imaging beamline

X-ray fluorescence CT is a non-destructive technique for detecting elemental composition and distribution inside a specimen. In this paper, the first experimental results of X-ray fluorescence CT obtained at the SSRF X-ray imaging beamline (BL13W1) are described. The test samples were investigated and the 2D elemental image was reconstructed using a filtered back-projection algorithm. In the sample the element Cd was observed. Up to now, the X-ray fluorescence CT could be carried out at the SSRF X-ray imaging beamline.     

基于同步辐射的快速扫描X射线微束荧光成像方法

在上海光源硬X射线微聚焦光束线站(BL15U1)上, 基于EPICS软件平台, 集成运动控制, 光强探测, 荧光探测等功能, 实现了"飞行"模式 (on-the-fly) X射线扫描微束荧光成像方法. 用"飞行"扫描X射线荧光成像法获得了标准镍网, 以及微量元素Cu, Zn,K, Fe在样品老鼠脾内的分布图像, 结果显示该方法不但在速度上有了极大的提高, 而且获得的元素分布图像具有高质量. 关键词： 快速扫描X射线微束荧光成像 同步辐射 微量元素分布     

Energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction beamline at Indus-2 synchrotron source

An energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction beamline has been designed, developed and commissioned at BL-11 bending magnet port of the Indian synchrotron source, Indus-2. The performance of this beamline has been benchmarked by measuring diffraction patterns from various elemental metals and standard inorganic powdered samples. A few recent high-pressure investigations are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the beamline.     

上海光源硬X射线相干衍射成像实验方法初探

相干X射线衍射成像方法是一种先进的成像技术,分辨率可达纳米量级.国际上大多数的同步辐射装置和自由电子激光装置都建立了该成像方法,并有将其作为主要成像技术的趋势.上海光源作为目前国内唯一的一台第三代同步辐射光源,尚未建立基于硬X射线的相干衍射成像实验平台.随着一批以波荡器为光源的光束线站投入使用,使得该方法的建立成为了可能.本文基于上海光源BL19U2生物小角散射线站,通过有效的光路设计,搭建了相干衍射实验平台,在12 keV和13.5 keV能量点均获得了硬X射线相干光束,并基于小孔衍射测量了入射光束的空间相干长度.该平台支持常规和扫描相干衍射实验模式,对小孔衍射图样及波带片扫描衍射图样实现了正确的相位重建,证明了该平台初步具备开展硬X射线相干衍射成像实验的能力.硬X射线相干衍射成像实验平台为国内首次建立,将为国内该实验方法的发展和应用提供有效的软硬件支持.     

硬X射线微米探针高精度样品定位系统

介绍了上海光源硬X射线微聚焦光束线站(BL15U1)的高精度样品定位系统。该系统由离线样品显微镜系统、在线样品实验系统和高精度定位样品架三部分组成。通过编译控制程序、样品架定位、坐标转换,将样品的在线X射线荧光成像实验和离线显微镜观察进行有效结合,首次在国内同步辐射装置上实现样品在微米范围内的快速离线定位。该系统帮助科研工作者在利用微束X射线研究物质微区特征时,快速准确地寻找微区研究对象。利用金网进行X射线荧光成像实验,对比离线高倍显微镜下金网各结点的坐标,对样品定位系统的精度进行验证。结果表明,该样品定位系统在X方向的平均误差为1.3 μm,Z方向的平均误差为2.5 μm。该系统不仅简便快速、准确可靠,节约宝贵的实验时间,也为同步辐射微聚焦线站开展样品自动对焦方法提供技术前提。     

A wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectrometer for in/ex situ resonant inelastic X-ray scattering studies

A wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectrometer based on von Hamos geometry for in/ex situ resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) studies at BL14W1-X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) beamline of Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) is reported. The design considerations and the operational characteristics of the spectrometer are described in detail. With a Si(444) bent crystal, the spectrometer provides an energy range from 8 to 9 keV, which enables the measurement of K-edge X-ray spectroscopy of some transition metal complexes and L-edge X-ray spectroscopy of some 5d transition metal complexes. Based on von Hamos geometry, the process of the collection of RIXS is considerably simplified. The collection of full RIXS planes of tungstic samples requiring spectral resolutions is presented, demonstrating the speciation capabilities of the instrument. Taking the series of oxide-derived copper catalysts for carbon dioxide electrochemical reduction as the research model, the in situ RIXS were measured to probe dynamic changes in electronic structure. Finally, the comparison between in situ RIXS and in situ conventional XAFS is presented, demonstrating more competitive spectral resolution of RIXS.     

Elemental distribution by synchrotron X-ray microfluorescence of prostate 3D cell culture

Prostate cancer is a highly prevalent disease and ranks second among malignant neoplasms that affect men around the world, behind lung cancer alone. Trace elements are very important and are involved in many cellular processes. The X-ray microfluorescence technique is an advanced tool of high spatial resolution, sensitivity, multielemental analysis, and nondestructiveness for trace element study. This study aimed to investigate the elemental distribution in spheroids obtained through the following human prostate cell lines using synchrotron X-ray microfluorescence: tumor cell line androgen independent (DU145), tumor cell line androgen dependent (LNCaP), and normal cell line (RWPE-1). The measurements were performed with a standard geometry of 45° of incidence, excited by a white beam using a pixel of 25 μm and an acquisition time of 300 ms/pixel at the X-ray fluorescence beamline at the Synchrotron Light National Laboratory (Campinas, Brazil). The synchrotron X-ray microfluorescence results showed differences between groups in all elements analyzed and suggested that further studies should be performed to understand the relationship of these trace elements with the progression and development of the disease.     

Performance of the infrared microspectroscopy station at SSRF

At the third generation synchrotron light source Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF), the first infrared beamline BL01B has been successfully constructed. The infrared beamline collects both bending magnet and edge radiation. A brief introduction of the infrared beamline design has been given in this article. The infrared microspectroscopy station is equipped with a Nicolet 6700 FTIR spectrometer and a Nicolet Continuum Microscope. The flux at the entrance of the FTIR spectrometer, the intensity profile, the signal to noise ratio (SNR) with different apertures, and the focused spot size of the infrared microspectroscopy station have been measured. The performances with synchrotron radiation infrared source and internal globar source have been compared. The results indicate that the infrared microspectroscopy station at SSRF has the ability of analysis samples in a small area with diffraction limited spatial resolution.     

同步辐射X射线荧光光谱国内外研究进展

同步辐射光源是带电粒子在加速器储存环中以接近光速的速度运动时,沿轨道切线方向发射出的辐射,同步辐射X射线荧光分析（SR-XRF）是以同步辐射X射线作为激发光源的X荧光光谱分析技术。同步辐射X射线荧光分析包括了用于微区及微量元素分析的同步辐射XRF、用于表面及薄膜分析的同步辐射全反射X射线荧光（SR-TXRF）以及用于三维无损分析的同步辐射X射线荧光扫描和成像方法（如X射线荧光CT、X射线荧光全场成像、共聚焦X射线荧光和掠出射X射线荧光等）。X射线荧光光谱法通过测量元素的特征X射线发射波长或能量,识别元素,该方法首先通过测量发射的特征线强度,然后将该强度与元素浓度联系起来,对给定元素进行量化分析。X射线荧光光谱技术可以进行多元素同时分析,同步辐射X射线荧光谱亮度高,可调谐,相干性、准直性及偏振性好,可以用于分析样品元素的含量和空间分布。近些年来随着新光源技术的使用、分析软件的更新换代和定量分析方法的发展,对同步X射线荧光光谱分析产生了极大促进,采用新型X射线光学元件和探测器,能极大提升分辨率和探测效率,促进相关学科应用的发展。介绍了近几年来国内外同步辐射X射线荧光光谱分析技术及其应用发展状况,给出了国内外比较典型的同步辐射X射线荧光光谱分析光束线站最新技术方面的发展概况,并列举了一些典型应用成果,例如在生物医学、环境科学、地质考古、材料科学和物理及化学等领域的应用。对于本领域及相关领域的专家学者了解国内外同步辐射技术发展现状、应用研究成果具有一定的参考意义。     

Synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence,imaging and elemental mapping from biological samples

The present study utilized the new hard X-ray microspectroscopy beamline facility, X27A, available at NSLS, BNL, USA, for elemental mapping. This facility provided the primary beam in a small spot of the order of ∼10 μm, for focussing. With this spatial resolution and high flux throughput, the synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescent intensities for Mn, Fe, Zn, Cr, Ti and Cu were measured using a liquid-nitrogen-cooled 13-element energy-dispersive high-purity germanium detector. The sample is scanned in a ‘step-and-repeat’ mode for fast elemental mapping measurements and generated elemental maps at 8, 10 and 12 keV, from a small animal shell (snail). The accumulated trace elements, from these biological samples, in small areas have been identified. Analysis of the small areas will be better suited to establish the physiology of metals in specific structures like small animal shell and the distribution of other elements.     

利用荧光CT实现生物医学样品内元素分布的无损成像

荧光CT是一种可无损重建元素空间分布的发射型断层成像技术,对生物医学研究具有重要意义.同步辐射的高通量、高准直和能量可调等特性使荧光CT的生物医学应用成为可能.文章通过优化设计,在上海同步辐射光源建立了一套用于生物医学样品微量元素分析的荧光CT成像系统.通过对实验装置的优化,提高了系统的数据采集速度和空间分辨率.将极大...     

X‐ray grating interferometer for biomedical imaging applications at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility

An X‐ray grating interferometer was installed at the BL13W beamline of Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) for biomedical imaging applications. Compared with imaging results from conventional absorption‐based micro‐computed tomography, this set‐up has shown much better soft tissue imaging capability. In particular, using the set‐up, the carotid artery and the carotid vein in a formalin‐fixed mouse can be visualized in situ without contrast agents, paving the way for future applications in cancer angiography studies. The overall results have demonstrated the broad prospects of the existing set‐up for biomedical imaging applications at SSRF.     

基本参数法在地面验证实验中的的应用

As the nearest celestial body to the earth, the moon has become a hot spot again in astronomy field recently. The element analysis is a much important subject in many lunar projects. Remote X-ray spectrometry plays an important role in the geochemical exploration of the solar bodies. Because of the quasi-vacuum atmosphere on the moon, which has no absorption of X-ray, the X-ray fluorescence analysis is an effective way to determine the elemental abundance of lunar surface. The CE-1 X-ray fluorescence spectrometer （CE-1/XFS） aims to map the major elemental compositions on the lunar surface. This paper describes a method for quantitative analysis of elemental compositions. A series of ground base experiments are done to examine the capability of XFS. The obtained results, which show a reasonable agreement with the certified values at a 30% uncertainty level for major elements, are presented.     

Quantitative analysis results of CE-1 X-ray fluorescence spectrometer ground base experiment

As the nearest celestial body to the earth, the moon has become a hot spot again in astronomy field recently. The element analysis is a much important subject in many lunar projects. Remote X-ray spectrometry plays an important role in the geochemical exploration of the solar bodies. Because of th equasi-vacuum atmosphere on the moon, which has no absorption of X-ray, the X-ray fluorescence analysis is an effective way to determine the elemental abundance of lunar surface. The CE-1 X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (CE-1/XFS) aims to map the major elemental compositions on the lunar surface. This paper describes a method for quantitative analysis of elemental compositions. A series of ground base experiments are done to examine the capability of XFS. The obtained results, which show a reasonable agreement with the certified values at a 30% uncertainty level for major elements, are presented.     

Biomolecular solution X-ray scattering at the National Synchrotron Light Source

In recent years there has been a growing interest in the application of X-ray scattering techniques to biomolecules in solution. At NSLS, a new undulator-based beamline, X9, has been constructed to address the oversubscribed user demand for X-ray scattering. Beamline X9 has the capability to perform small/wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) all in one single instrument. This is accomplished by utilizing a vacuum sample/detector chamber that is an integral part of the SAXS scattering flight path. This vacuum chamber allows a WAXS detector to be positioned at a close distance from the sample, while not interfering with scattered X-rays at small angles from reaching the SAXS detector. A regular training program, the X9 workbench, has also been established to allow users to become familiar with beamline X9 for solution X-ray scattering.     

Investigation of sampling-probe distorted temperature fields with X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

Flame-sampling experiments, especially in conjunction with laminar low-pressure premixed flames, are routinely used in combustion chemistry studies to unravel the identities and quantities of key intermediates and their pathways. In many instances, however, an unambiguous interpretation of the experimental and modeling results is hampered by the uncertainties about the probe-induced, perturbed temperature profile. To overcome this limitation, two-dimensional perturbations of the temperature field caused by sampling probes with different geometries have been investigated using synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. In these experiments, which were performed at the 7-BM beamline of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at the Argonne National Laboratory, a continuous beam of hard X-rays at 15?keV was used to excite krypton atoms that were added in a concentration of 5?vol.-% to the unburnt gas mixture and the resulting krypton fluorescence at 12.65?keV was subsequently collected. The highly spatially resolved signal was converted into the local flame temperature to obtain temperature fields at various burner-probe separations as functions of the distance to the burner surface and the radial distance from the centerline. Multiple measurements were performed with different probe geometries and because of the observed impact on the temperature profiles the results clearly revealed the need to specify the sampling probe design to enable quantitative and meaningful comparisons of modeling results with flame-sampled mole fraction data.     

ARDESIA: A fast silicon drift detector X-ray spectrometer for synchrotron applications

ARDESIA, a four-channel X-ray spectrometer based on silicon drift detectors (SDDs), is presented. It has been developed for synchrotron applications targeting especially X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) with good energy resolution at high count rates (a few Mcps per second). The main target applications are XRF and XAFS techniques. The system features a 2 × 2 monolithic array of 5-mm-pitch SDDs cooled with a double Peltier scheme and coupled to a four-channel CUBE charge preamplifier. Different digital pulse processors allowing operation in Mcps per second count rates are employed. The results of preliminary characterization measurements performed at both the LNF DAΦNE-Light DXR1 beamline and the ESRF LISA BM-08 are reported, in particular, XRF measurements on low atomic number elements (down to the Carbon K-line, 270 eV) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure of trace materials in pyrite.     

Microfocussing of synchrotron X-rays using X-ray refractive lens developed at Indus-2 deep X-ray lithography beamline

X-ray lenses are fabricated in polymethyl methacrylate using deep X-ray lithography beamline of Indus-2. The focussing performance of these lenses is evaluated using Indus-2 and Diamond Light Source Ltd. The process steps for the fabrication of X-ray lenses and microfocussing at 10 keV at moderate and low emittance sources are compared.     

Confocal three-dimensional micro X-ray fluorescence based on synchrotron radiation for mineral analysis

The confocal three-dimensional micro X-ray fluorescence using polycapillary optics and a synchrotron radiation was applied to nondestructively analyze elemental compositions of minerals, and thereby obtain the three-dimensional distributions of elements in the minerals. Such confocal micro X-ray fluorescence had potential applications in the mineral prospecting, identification of jades, differentiation of stones.