X-ray mirrors with sub-nanometre figure errors obtained by differential deposition of thin WSi films.

Differential deposition by DC magnetron sputtering was applied to correct for figure errors of X-ray mirrors to be deployed on low-emittance synchrotron beamlines. During the deposition process, the mirrors were moved in front of a beam-defining aperture and the required velocity profile was calculated using a deconvolution algorithm. The surface figure was characterized using conventional off-line visible-light metrology instrumentation (long trace profiler and Fizeau interferometer) before and after the deposition.

A helium mini-cryostat for the nanoprobe beamline ID16B at ESRF: characteristics and performance.

A helium mini-cryostat has been developed for the hard X-ray nanoprobe ID16B of the European Synchrotron to collect X-ray excited optical luminescence and X-ray fluorescence at low temperature (<10 K). The mini-cryostat has been specifically designed to fit within the strong space restrictions and high-demanding mechanical constraints imposed by the beamline to provide vibration-free operation and maximal thermal stability. This paper reports the detailed design, architecture and technical requirements of the mini-cryostat, and presents the first experimental data measured using the cryogenic equipment.

X-ray mirror figure correction by differential deposition and off-line metrology.

The surface figure error of a hard X-ray mirror was improved by combining differential deposition and off-line metrology tools. Thin Cr layers were deposited on flat substrates by DC magnetron sputtering. The substrates were moved in front of a beam-defining aperture.

ID16B: a hard X-ray nanoprobe beamline at the ESRF for nano-analysis.

Within the framework of the ESRF Phase I Upgrade Programme, a new state-of-the-art synchrotron beamline ID16B has been recently developed for hard X-ray nano-analysis. The construction of ID16B was driven by research areas with major scientific and societal impact such as nanotechnology, earth and environmental sciences, and bio-medical research. Based on a canted undulator source, this long beamline provides hard X-ray nanobeams optimized mainly for spectroscopic applications, including the combination of X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, X-ray excited optical luminescence, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and 2D/3D X-ray imaging techniques.

Status of the hard X-ray microprobe beamline ID22 of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility.

The ESRF synchrotron beamline ID22, dedicated to hard X-ray microanalysis and consisting of the combination of X-ray fluorescence, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, diffraction and 2D/3D X-ray imaging techniques, is one of the most versatile instruments in hard X-ray microscopy science. This paper describes the present beamline characteristics, recent technical developments, as well as a few scientific examples from recent years of the beamline operation. The upgrade plans to adapt the beamline to the growing needs of the user community are briefly discussed.