Beamline Phone Number:
+44 (0) 1235 778144
Principal Beamline Scientist:
Christine Beavers
Tel: +44 (0) 1235 394038
E-mail: Christine.Beavers@diamond.ac.uk
XPDF (I15-1) is the dedicated X-ray Pair Distribution Function beamline. XPDF is applicable to a diverse range of disciplines such as materials chemistry, solid-state physics, earth sciences and pharmaceuticals.
Researchers are able to study the local structure of crystalline, semi-crystalline and amorphous solids and liquids with a speed and robustness which has not been possible at Diamond before. The beamline optics and endstation have been optimised to give the high X-ray energy, high flux and low background signal which are necessary for quality PDF data.
XPDF typically operates with two large area detectors, one placed close to the sample to the provide the large Q range required for quality PDF data (Qmax up to 40 Å–1 at 76.7 keV) and one mounted further from the sample for simultaneous higher-resolution Bragg data.
Layout of the XPDF (I15-1) and Extreme Conditions (I15) beamlines.
One of the PDF data collection geometries possible on XPDF.
A spinning capillary sample at the XPDF sample position.
Processing of XPDF data using the Dawn Processing perspective.
PDF + Bragg geometry with two area detectors.
XPDF is commissioning two new in-situ environments focussed on time-resolved measurements in reacting solutions. Both environments allow for steady state measurements to be taken at time increments after two precursor solutions are passively mixed. The first cell is aimed at longer duration reactions, consisting of eight measurement positions. Here the first measurement is available for reaction times greater than ca. 0.5 seconds. The second cell is targeted at much faster reactions where data can be collected at times greater than ca. 0.05 seconds after mixing. It will be possible to run both cells at elevated temperature, to a maximum of 250 °C. If you are interested in using these sample environments for the current round of proposals please contact the beamline staff.
XPDF is operational and welcomes users to apply for beamtime by the standard DLS peer review process.
Some information on beamline equipment is listed below. Dedicated software is also being developed which will ultimately produce PDF data in real-time at the point of data collection, providing an unparalleled user-friendly X-ray PDF beamline and allowing non-expert users to use this powerful technique.
| Item | Specification | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Beam size at focus | 700 μm horizontal by 10 μm vertical Standard size at sample 700 μm x 150 μm | Available |
| Bent-Laue monochromator | 40.0, 65.4 and 76.6 keV 700 μm horizontal focussing | Available |
| Multi-layer mirror | 10 μm vertical focussing | Available |
| Primary detector | Perkin Elmer XRD 1611 CP3 409.6 × 409.6 mm2 active area 100 μm pixel size, 4 Hz read-out | Available |
| Secondary detector | Perkin Elmer XRD 4343 CT 432 × 432 mm2 active area 150 μm pixel size, 15 Hz read-out (TBC) | Available |
| XY sample stage | 250 mm (h) × 450 mm (v) travel 5 kg load capacity | Available |
| Single capillary spinner | 10 Hz capillary spinner | Available |
| Multi-capillary spinner | 15 position sample changer | Available (14 positions operational) |
| Hot air blower | 350 - 1100 K | Available |
| Cryojet | 90 - 500 K | Available |
| Hydrothermal cell | Zero-background capillary cell for hydrothermal reactions RT - 473 K | Available (contact beamline staff for details) |
| Gas cell | Capillary cell for flowing gas experiments. A limited set of gasses is currently available. Can be used with the hot air blower. | Commissioning (contact beamline staff for details) |
| eChem system | 8-channel Ivium-n-Stat electrochemical analyser for battery cycling, impedance analysis and more. | Available |
See the sample environment page for more details on the equipment available. New sample environment equipment is always in development. For more information about proposed experiments please contact xpdf@diamond.ac.uk.
For an overview of the potential applications, download the XPDF leaflet here.
Diamond Light Source is the UK's national synchrotron science facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.
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