Focusing a round coherent beam by spatial filtering the horizontal source.

This paper illustrates the use of spatial filtering with a horizontal slit near the source to enlarge the horizontal coherence in an experimental station and produce a diffraction-limited round focus at an insertion device beamline for X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy experiments. Simple expressions are provided to guide the optical layout, and wave propagation simulations confirm their applicability. The two-dimensional focusing performance of Be compound refractive lenses to produce a round diffraction-limited focus at 11 keV capable of generating a high-contrast speckle pattern of an aerogel sample is demonstrated.

A ray-tracing algorithm for ab initio calculation of thermal load in undulator-based synchrotron beamlines.

The OASYS suite and its powerful integration features are used to implement a ray-tracing algorithm to accurately calculate the thermal load in any component of an undulator-based synchrotron beamline. This is achieved by sampling and converting the SRW source of a given energy into a Shadow source and using the latter code to ray trace the full beamline. The accuracy of the algorithm is proved by reconstructing the full undulator radiation distribution through an aperture and comparing the result with direct calculaton of the total power using SRW.

XTIP - the world's first beamline dedicated to the synchrotron X-ray scanning tunneling microscopy technique.

In recent years, there have been numerous efforts worldwide to develop the synchrotron X-ray scanning tunneling microscopy (SX-STM) technique. Here, the inauguration of XTIP, the world's first beamline fully dedicated to SX-STM, is reported. The XTIP beamline is located at Sector 4 of the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory.

Clustering of conformational IgE epitopes on the major dog allergen Can f 1.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-associated allergy affects more than 25% of the population. Can f 1 is the major dog allergen associated with respiratory symptoms but the epitopes recognized by allergic patients IgE on Can f 1 are unknown. To characterize IgE epitopes of Can f 1 recognized by dog allergic patients, six overlapping peptides spanning the Can f 1 sequence were synthesized.

Mutual optical intensity propagation through non-ideal mirrors.

The mutual optical intensity (MOI) model is extended to include the propagation of partially coherent radiation through non-ideal mirrors. The propagation of the MOI from the incident to the exit plane of the mirror is realised by local ray tracing. The effects of figure errors can be expressed as phase shifts obtained by either the phase projection approach or the direct path length method.

Modular soft x-ray spectrometer for applications in energy sciences and quantum materials.

Over the past decade, the advances in grating-based soft X-ray spectrometers have revolutionized the soft X-ray spectroscopies in materials research. However, these novel spectrometers are mostly dedicated designs, which cannot be easily adopted for applications with diverging demands. Here we present a versatile spectrometer design concept based on the Hettrick-Underwood optical scheme that uses modular mechanical components.

Infant milk formulas differ regarding their allergenic activity and induction of T-cell and cytokine responses.

Background: Several hydrolyzed cow's milk (CM) formulas are available for avoidance of allergic reactions in CM-allergic children and for prevention of allergy development in high-risk infants. Our aim was to compare CM formulas regarding the presence of immunoreactive CM components, IgE reactivity, allergenic activity, ability to induce T-cell proliferation, and cytokine secretion.

Methods: A blinded analysis of eight CM formulas, one nonhydrolyzed, two partially hydrolyzed (PH), four extensively hydrolyzed (EH), and one amino acid formula, using biochemical techniques and specific antibody probes was conducted.

DABAM: an open-source database of X-ray mirrors metrology.

An open-source database containing metrology data for X-ray mirrors is presented. It makes available metrology data (mirror heights and slopes profiles) that can be used with simulation tools for calculating the effects of optical surface errors in the performances of an optical instrument, such as a synchrotron beamline. A typical case is the degradation of the intensity profile at the focal position in a beamline due to mirror surface errors.

Microfocusing at the PG1 beamline at FLASH.

The Kirkpatrick-Baez (KB) refocusing mirror system installed at the PG1 branch of the plane-grating monochromator beamline at the soft X-ray/XUV free-electron laser in Hamburg (FLASH) is designed to provide tight aberration-free focusing down to 4 µm × 6 µm full width at half-maximum (FWHM) on the sample. Such a focal spot size is mandatory to achieve ultimate resolution and to guarantee best performance of the vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) off-axis parabolic double-monochromator Raman spectrometer permanently installed at the PG1 beamline as an experimental end-station. The vertical beam size on the sample of the Raman spectrometer, which operates without entrance slit, defines and limits the energy resolution of the instrument which has an unprecedented design value of 2 meV for photon energies below 70 eV and about 15 meV for higher energies up to 200 eV.

A new compact soft x-ray spectrometer for resonant inelastic x-ray scattering studies at PETRA III.

We present a newly designed compact grating spectrometer for the energy range from 210 eV to 1250 eV, which would include the Kα(1,2) emission lines of vital elements like C, N, and O. The spectrometer is based on a grazing incidence spherical varied line spacing grating with 2400 l/mm at its center and a radius of curvature of 58 542 mm. First, results show a resolving power of around 1000 at an energy of 550 eV and a working spectrometer for high vacuum (10(-4) mbar) environment without losing photon intensity.

A simple optical system delivering a tunable micrometer pink beam that can compensate for heat-induced deformations.

The radiation from an undulator reflected from one or more optical elements (usually termed `pink-beam') is used in photon-hungry experiments. The optical elements serve as a high-energy cutoff and for focusing purposes. One of the issues with this configuration is maintaining the focal spot dimension as the energy of the undulator is varied, since this changes the heat load absorbed by the first optical element.

A short-pulse X-ray beamline for spectroscopy and scattering.

Experimental facilities for picosecond X-ray spectroscopy and scattering based on RF deflection of stored electron beams face a series of optical design challenges. Beamlines designed around such a source enable time-resolved diffraction, spectroscopy and imaging studies in chemical, condensed matter and nanoscale materials science using few-picosecond-duration pulses possessing the stability, high repetition rate and spectral range of synchrotron light sources. The RF-deflected chirped electron beam produces a vertical fan of undulator radiation with a correlation between angle and time.

Partially coherent X-ray wavefront propagation simulations including grazing-incidence focusing optics.

X-ray beamlines in modern synchrotron radiation sources make extensive use of grazing-incidence reflective optics, in particular Kirkpatrick-Baez elliptical mirror systems. These systems can focus the incoming X-rays down to nanometer-scale spot sizes while maintaining relatively large acceptance apertures and high flux in the focused radiation spots. In low-emittance storage rings and in free-electron lasers such systems are used with partially or even nearly fully coherent X-ray beams and often target diffraction-limited resolution.

Electronic screening-enhanced hole pairing in two-leg spin ladders studied by high-resolution resonant inelastic x-ray scattering at Cu M edges.

We study the electronic screening mechanisms of the effective Coulomb on-site repulsion in hole-doped Sr(14)Cu(24)O(41) compared to undoped La(6)Ca(8)Cu(24)O(41) using polarization dependent high-resolution resonant inelastic x-ray scattering at Cu M edges. By measuring the energy of the effective Coulomb on-site repulsion and the spin excitations, we estimate superexchange and hopping matrix element energies along rungs and legs, respectively. Interestingly, hole doping locally screens the Coulomb on-site repulsion reducing it by as much as 25%.

A hybrid method for X-ray optics simulation: combining geometric ray-tracing and wavefront propagation.

A new method for beamline simulation combining ray-tracing and wavefront propagation is described. The `Hybrid Method' computes diffraction effects when the beam is clipped by an aperture or mirror length and can also simulate the effect of figure errors in the optical elements when diffraction is present. The effect of different spatial frequencies of figure errors on the image is compared with SHADOW results pointing to the limitations of the latter.

Design of an ultrahigh-energy-resolution and wide-energy-range soft X-ray beamline.

A new ultrahigh-energy-resolution and wide-energy-range soft X-ray beamline has been designed and is under construction at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The beamline has two branches: one dedicated to angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and the other to photoelectron emission microscopy (PEEM). The two branches share the same plane-grating monochromator, which is equipped with four variable-line-spacing gratings and covers the 20-2000 eV energy range.

Dissection of the IgE and T-cell recognition of the major group 5 grass pollen allergen Phl p 5.

Background: The major timothy grass pollen allergen Phl p 5 belongs to the most potent allergens involved in hay fever and asthma.

Objective: This study characterized immune-dominant IgE- and T-cell-recognition sites of Phl p 5.

Methods: Seven peptides, P1 to P7 with a length of 31 to 38 amino acids that spanned the Phl p 5 sequence, were synthesized, characterized by circular dichroism spectroscopy, and tested for IgE reactivity, basophil activation, and T-cell reactivity.

Optical design of the Short Pulse Soft X-ray Spectroscopy beamline at the Advanced Photon Source.

The Short Pulse X-ray facility planned for the Advanced Photon Source (APS) upgrade will provide two sectors with photon beams having picosecond pulse duration. The Short Pulse Soft X-ray Spectroscopy (SPSXS) beamline will cover the 150-2000 eV energy range using an APS bending magnet. SPSXS is designed to take full advantage of this new timing capability in addition to providing circular polarized radiation.

Optical design of the short pulse x-ray imaging and microscopy time-angle correlated diffraction beamline at the Advanced Photon Source.

The short pulse x-ray imaging and microscopy beamline is one of the two x-ray beamlines that will take full advantage of the short pulse x-ray source in the Advanced Photon Source (APS) upgrade. A horizontally diffracting double crystal monochromator which includes a sagittally focusing second crystal will collect most of the photons generated when the chirped electron beam traverses the undulator. A Kirkpatrick-Baez mirror system after the monochromator will deliver to the sample a beam which has an approximately linear correlation between time and vertical beam angle.

The electron spectro-microscopy beamline at National Synchrotron Light Source II: a wide photon energy range, micro-focusing beamline for photoelectron spectro-microscopies.

A comprehensive optical design for a high-resolution, high-flux, wide-energy range, micro-focused beamline working in the vacuum ultraviolet and soft x-ray photon energy range is proposed. The beamline is to provide monochromatic radiation to three photoelectron microscopes: a full-field x-ray photoelectron emission microscope and two scanning instruments, one dedicated to angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (μ-ARPES) and one for ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning photoelectron microscopy (AP-XPS/SPEM). Microfocusing is achieved with state of the art elliptical cylinders, obtaining a spot size of 1 μm for ARPES and 0.

High-resolution Fourier-transform infrared chemical imaging with multiple synchrotron beams.

Conventional Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopic systems are limited by an inevitable trade-off between spatial resolution, acquisition time, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and sample coverage. We present an FTIR imaging approach that substantially extends current capabilities by combining multiple synchrotron beams with wide-field detection. This advance allows truly diffraction-limited high-resolution imaging over the entire mid-infrared spectrum with high chemical sensitivity and fast acquisition speed while maintaining high-quality SNR.

Skin prick test extracts for dog allergy diagnosis show considerable variations regarding the content of major and minor dog allergens.

Background: Commercial skin prick test (SPT) extracts used for the diagnosis of dog allergy are prepared by extracting allergens from natural sources, e.g. dog hair and dander.

Cigarette smoke facilitates allergen penetration across respiratory epithelium.

Background: The association between cigarette smoke exposure and allergic airway disease is a matter for debate. We sought to investigate in an in vitro system whether active smoking reduces the integrity and barrier function of the respiratory epithelium and thus facilitates allergen penetration.

Methods: We cultured the human bronchial epithelial cell line 16HBE14o- in a transwell culture system as a surrogate for the intact respiratory epithelium.

Higher immunoglobulin E antibody levels to recombinant Fel d 1 in cat-allergic children with asthma compared with rhinoconjunctivitis.

Background: Current diagnosis of allergy and asthma to cat is confirmed using cat dander extract (CDE). We have previously engineered a recombinant major cat allergen, rFel d 1, with properties identical to the natural molecule.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate IgE and IgG4 antibodies to rFel d 1 among sera from cat-allergic children and adults suffering from asthma and/or rhinoconjunctivitis (RC) in populations from Sweden and Austria.

A soft x-ray beamline capable of canceling the performance impairment due to power absorbed on its optical elements.

We present an entrance slitless beamline design capable of maintaining its very high performance in terms of energy resolution (>10(4)) and spot size (4x4 microm2) at the sample position despite being exposed to more than 2.15 kW of undulator radiation and a maximum power density on the optics of more than 0.9 W/mm2.