Comparison of focusing optics for femtosecond X-ray diffraction

We characterize and compare four different types of focusing optics for hard X-rays, suitable for femtosecond X-ray diffraction experiments, usinga tabletop femtosecond laser-based plasma source. We demonstrate a 23 μmfocus with a toroidally bent Ge single crystal. A maximum flux of 7× 10⁸ photons/(s mm²) is generated in a 32 μm focus using a multi-layer mirror. An elliptical glass capillary yields the highest number of photons per Bragg angle [2× 10⁵ photons/(s mrad)]. The largest number of photons[3× 10⁶ photons/s] per second is obtained in the 105 μm focus of a poly-capillary optical lens system. All numbers are given for characteristic Cu K _α photons.This revised version was published online in May 2005. The Article Category was removed.This revised version was published online in August 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Simulation model for shapiro time delay and light deflection experiments

The time delay experiment proposed by I.I. Shapiro in 1964 and conducted in the seventies was the most precise experiment of general relativity until that time. Further experimentation has improved the accuracy level of both the time delay and the light deflection experiments. A simulation model is proposed that involves only a simple mass and time transformation factor involving velocity of light. The light deflection and the time delay experiments are numerically simulated using this model that does not use the general relativistic equations. The computed values presented in this paper compare well with recent levels of accuracy of their respective experimental results.     

X-ray diffraction evaluation of stress in high pressure deformation experiments

This paper explores the applicability of x-ray diffraction measurements of stress to high pressure deformation experiments. We model measurements of elastic lattice strains in various geometries for both axial and rotational deformation apparatus. We then show that, for most cases, stresses can be inverted from the diffraction data. A comparison between the results of our models and actual experimental data also indicates that plastic deformation can have an influence that is not addressed properly in the elastic models of lattice strains and should therefore be treated with caution.     

Ultrafast structural dynamics with table top femtosecond hard X-ray and electron diffraction setups

The following tutorial review is directed to graduate students willing to be part of the emerging field of ultrafast structural dynamics. It provides them with an introduction to the field and all the very basic assumptions and experimental tricks involved in femtosecond (fs) diffraction techniques. The concept of stroboscopic photography and its implication in ultrafast science are introduced. Special attention is paid to the generation of ultrashort electron and hard X-ray pulses in table top setups, and a direct comparison in terms of brightness and temporal resolution between current table top and facility-based methodologies is given for proper calibration. This review is focused on ultrafast X-ray and electron diffraction techniques. The progress in the development of fs-structural probes during the last twenty years has been tremendous. Current ultrafast structural probes provide us with the temporal and spatial resolutions required to observe atoms in motion. Different compression approaches have made it possible the generation of ultrashort and ultrabright electron pulses with an effective brightness close to that of fs-hard X-ray pulses produced by free electron lasers. We now have in hand a variety of ultrafast structural cameras ready to be applied for the study of an endless list of dynamical phenomena at the atomic level of inspection.     

Quantum beats observed in time resolved X-ray interference experiments

We have employed an LLL-type X-ray interferometer with a mirror crystal divided into two parts and X-cut quartz crystals attached aside each mirror. Ultrasound waves of slightly different frequencies around f = 10 MHz (phonon energies around hf = 41 neV) are fed into the mirrors. The interaction with the coherent photon beams in the interferometer causes quantum beats in the interference intensity. In time resolved interference experiments beat frequencies of Δf = 96 mHz (in energy scale ΔE = hΔf = 397 atto-eV = 3.97 × 10⁻¹⁶ eV) were observed. The energy sensitivity of our experiments achieved values δE = 15.6 zepto-eV = 1.56 × 10⁻²⁰ eV.     

Diamond anvils with a spherical support designed for X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments in DAC

Here, we present new diamond anvils with a spherical support designed for applications in diamond anvil cell (DAC) technique. The main feature of the anvils is the diamond crown of a spherical shape. The assembly of the spherical diamond fixed within a spherical support of a seat made of tungsten carbide or hard metals provides enhanced stability, simple alignment, and large optical and X-ray aperture that makes it very useful for broad applications in DAC technique, particularly for single crystal X-ray and powder neutron diffraction. The anvils were tested in various experiments conducted in a wide pressure–temperature range and showed a very good performance.     

频域反射法光纤延时精密测量

本文提出了一种应用于光纤延时系统中实现光纤延时精密测量的新方法,用以提高光纤延时测量的精度和准确性.该方法以1064 nm激光调制信号作为光源,通过测量回波信号的幅值和相位信息得到被测通道的频率响应,采用快速傅里叶逆变换得到被测目标的延时信息,实现光纤延时测量.本文通过理论分析和延时测量实验对频域反射法与传统的时域测量方法进行对比,使用频域反射法在调制频率范围10—200 MHz,采样频率间隔0.5 MHz的实验条件下,实现了3.3 ps延时测量分辨率,并证明了该方法具有比时域方法更高的测量精度,测量结果的准确性更好.     

X-ray diffraction determination of easiest slip planes in amorphous-crystalline polymers

A simple X-ray diffraction technique for determining the easiest slip planes in amorphous-crystalline polymer grains is suggested. The efficiency of the technique was demonstrated with polyethylene and polyamide-6.     

Study of sulphation of Candoglia marble by means of micro X-ray diffraction experiments

This research is aimed at assessing the particular kind of damage caused by the interaction between atmospheric pollution and the marble surface of a magnificent late gothic church, Milan Cathedral, restored in the early 1970s. On the basis of visual inspections and diagnostic investigations the facade appears to be seriously damaged by surface erosion and thick black crusts; biological crusts, micro-fractures and detachments are widely present.This paper reports on SR-μXRD data collected at the Synchrotron Radiation Source (SRS), Daresbury Laboratory, and at the European Synchrotron Radiation Source (ESRF) from selected samples, covered with black crusts, originating from the Milan Cathedral facade. Mineralogical maps of the deterioration layers have been recorded by two spatial resolutions (5–100 μm), from the bulk of the stone material to the outer layer of the black surface. These maps help in elucidating the mechanism of formation of the black crusts. PACS 33.20.Rm; 61.10.Eq; 61.10.Nz; 78.70.Ck     

High pressure X-ray diffraction experiments on NpS and PUS up to 60 GPa

Abstract

Neptunium and plutonium monosulfides were studied under high pressure up to ～60 GPa using a diamond anvil cell in an energy dispersive X-ray diffraction facility. The compounds, of cubic rock salt structure type at ambient pressure, do not show any crystallographic phase transition in the domain of investigation. From the pressure-volume relationship, we determined bulk moduli of 92 and 120 GPa with pressure derivatives of 4.6 and 4.1 for NpS and PUS respectively.     

The outlook for X-ray diffraction topography

The possibilities of high-resolution X-ray section topography using the geometry of the interference bands to reveal features of the elastic fields of crystalline lattice defects are considered. The mechanisms of the diffraction of the X-ray wavefield on elastic lattice distortions are demonstrated using the example of dislocations. Microdefects in silicon are another most interesting subject. Section topography is in this case virtually the only method for revealing very weak deformations due to microdefects.     

基于三轴X射线衍射方法的n-GaN位错密度的测试条件分析

三轴X射线衍射技术广泛应用于半导体材料参数的精确测试,然而应用于纤锌矿n-GaN位错密度的测试却可能隐藏极大的误差.本文采用三轴X射线衍射技术测试了两个氢化物气相外延方法生长的n-GaN样品,发现两样品对应衍射面的半高全宽都基本一致,按照镶嵌结构模型,采用Srikant方法或Williamson-Hall方法,两样品的位错密度也应基本一致.但van der Pauw变温霍尔效应测试表明,其中的非故意掺杂样品是莫特相变材料,而掺Si样品则是非莫特相变材料,位错密度有数量级的差别.实验表明,位错沿晶界生长导致的晶粒尺寸效应,表现为三轴X射线衍射技术检测不到晶界晶格畸变区域的位错,给测试带来极大误差,这对正确使用Srikant方法和Williamson-Hall方法提出了测试要求.分析表明,当扭转角与倾转角之比β_(twist)/β_(tiit)≥2.0时,Srikant方法是准确的,否则需进一步由Williamson-Hall方法确定晶粒大小(面内共格长度L//),当L//≥1.5μm时,Srikant方法是准确的.     

X-ray diffraction analysis for quasi-crystals under pressure

Abstract

X-ray diffration analysis under high pressure was performed on the icosahedral phase (I-phase) of an Al₈₀Mn₂₀ alloy and Al₆Li₃Cu alloy. The I-phase of an Al-Mn alloy was stable and there was no indication of phase transformations. In an Al-Li-Cu alloy, the I-phase underwent irreversible transformation successively to the amorphous state and the long-range ordered state. This is the first observation of the pressure-induced amorphization.     

X-ray resonant powder diffraction

X-ray resonant diffraction can be applied in structural chemistry studies on powder samples. It enables an important limitation of powder diffraction to be overcome. This limitation is related to the low ability of powder diffraction to differentiate elements with close atomic numbers when they occupy the same or close crystallographic sites (mixed occupancy case) and also to discriminate cations with different valence states in different sites. However the resonant effect usually has a second order influence on the measured intensity. As a consequence, the efficiency of this method directly implies the need for excellent quality data collection and has generally been better assessed on elements present in single phase powder samples. In recent years, instrumental developments have been made in synchrotron radiation facilities which allow easier use of resonant powder diffraction for site-specific contrast and valence i.e. oxidation state analyses. Moreover, resonant contrast diffraction tools also have been proposed for better visualization of the anomalous effect both in direct and reciprocal space by using differences between electron density maps or diffraction patterns. Finally the potentialities of this technique for de novo structure solution on macromolecular systems are mentioned.     

X-ray emission from femtosecond laser micromachining

We characterize the spectral properties of X-rays generated from selected metal and semiconductor targets when 120-fs laser pulses are focused to intensities of∼10¹⁴–3×10¹⁵ W/cm² during laser micromachining in air. High fluxes of multi-keV-energy X-rays could be obtained with 280-μJ pulses at a 1 kHz repetition rate. The yield and spectral composition of the X-rays are found to depend sensitively on the processing conditions, and thus the X-ray emission is expected to be a novel indicator of optimal laser machining. Received: 17 July 2000 / Accepted: 27 October 2000 / Published online: 28 February 2001     

Compression of subrelativistic space-charge-dominated electron bunches for single-shot femtosecond electron diffraction

We demonstrate the compression of 95 keV, space-charge-dominated electron bunches to sub-100 fs durations. These bunches have sufficient charge (200 fC) and are of sufficient quality to capture a diffraction pattern with a single shot, which we demonstrate by a diffraction experiment on a polycrystalline gold foil. Compression is realized by means of velocity bunching by inverting the positive space-charge-induced velocity chirp. This inversion is induced by the oscillatory longitudinal electric field of a 3 GHz radio-frequency cavity. The arrival time jitter is measured to be 80 fs.     

飞秒电子衍射系统的静态特性研究

超快电子衍射系统是认识超快物理、化学及生物过程的重要工具之一.介绍了自主研制的一套飞秒电子衍射系统，调试并测量了该系统的电子束斑特性、X-Y偏转板的偏转灵敏度等.在该系统上进行了金膜的静态电子衍射图像的测量. 关键词： 飞秒电子衍射 偏转灵敏度 时间分辨 空间分辨