I15-1 Contact
Beamline Phone Number:
+44 (0) 1235 778144
Principal Beamline Scientist:
Philip Chater
Tel: +44 (0) 1235 778677
E-mail: philip.chater@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.
I15-1 is currently accpeting proposals for the AP29/30 user call (21st June-21st December 2021) with a deadline of 3rd March 2021. The types of experiment we can run will depend on Diamond’s COVID-19 operational level. There are two likely levels:
All AP29/30 proposals should explicitly state which of the two likely operational levels are required for the experiment. Please discuss all proposals with beamline staff via xpdf@diamond.ac.uk prior to submission.
Please note that we are still working through our backlog of user experiments from previous calls. Unscheduled reserve proposals for I15 and I15-1 from AP28 will be rolled forward into AP29/30. However, proposals from AP27 and earlier that are not already scheduled to be run before the end of March will be cancelled. If you still require the beamtime, please re-submit an updated proposal with a note explaining that it was previously awarded time but that it was not possible to run the experiment. If you require an update on your experiment, please contact xpdf@diamond.ac.uk.
Rapid Access submission is also open for experiments that require mail-in beamtime at short notice. The time available is limited, so please discuss your proposal with xpdf@diamond.ac.uk before submitting.
Some information on beamline equipment is listed below.
| 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, but not for mail-in experiments (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, but not for mail-in experiments |
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.
An overview of the XPDF beamline presented at the IUCr2017 conference is available here.
For more information about any aspect of XPDF, please email xpdf@diamond.ac.uk.
For an overview of the potential applications, download the XPDF leaflet here.
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