Beamline Phone Number:
+44 (0) 1235 3 94121
Beamline Email: DIAD@diamond.ac.uk
Principal Beamline Scientist:
Sharif Ahmed
Tel: +44 (0) 1235 778373
E-mail: sharif.ahmed@diamond.ac.uk
Email: paul.quinn@diamond.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1235 778583
The beamline operates in the energy range of 7-38 keV. The source is a short 700 mm length fixed-gap wiggler insertion device, placed in a “missing sexatapole” configuration in the storage ring.
Parameter | Value |
Period length |
116 mm |
Total length |
700 mm |
No. of poles |
10 full strength poles, two ½ poles |
Field amplitude |
1.54 T |
Magnetic gap (fixed) |
22 mm |
The imaging beam can be operated in either pink or monochromatic mode. Pink beam is provided through two horizontally reflecting mirrors and a series of filters.
Monochromatic beam is provided through two horizontally reflecting mirrors and a horizontal bounce Si(111) monochromator.
The diffraction beam is provided from two horizontally reflecting mirrors, a horizontal bounce Si(111) monochromator and a pair of KB-mirrors for focusing the beam.
The KB mirrors are used to provide a limited number of fixed spot sizes at the sample position.
Beam mode | Description |
Monochromatic imaging | 7 - 38 keV, 1.7 mm x 1.7 mm |
Pink imaging | Unfiltered |
Monochromatic diffraction | 7 - 38 keV, 13 µm x 2 µm to 50 µm x 50 µm |
DIAD’s full-field X-ray imaging system has been specifically designed for X-ray radiography and X-ray computed tomography. The system couples a scintillator with a custom-made microscope and a high-resolution scientific-grade imaging camera. DIAD’s scintillator and optics are optimised for a fixed magnification and spatial resolution.
Effective pixel size |
0.5 μm x 0.5 μm |
Spatial resolution* |
1 μm x 1 μm |
Field of View (h x v) |
1.28 mm x 1.08 mm (to be upgraded to 1.7mm x 1.7 mm) |
Sample to detector distance | 1 mm - 1000 mm |
X-ray beam size (h x v) |
1.7 mm x 1.7 mm |
* Spatial resolution is a measure of the smallest object that can be resolved by the system
Sensor type |
scientific CMOS (sCMOS) |
Resolution (h x v) |
2560 x 2160 pixel |
Pixel size (h x v) |
6.5 μm x 6.5 μm |
Frame rate |
50 fps @ 2560 x 2160 |
Exposure / shutter time * |
Min: 10 μs, Max: 2 s |
* actual exposure time used for data collection sample dependent
DIAD uses a Dectris Pilatus 2M CdTe as the diffraction detector.
Pixel size |
172 μm x 172 μm |
Image size |
1475 x 1679 pixels |
Active area |
253.7 x 288.8 mm2 |
Maximum frame rate* |
100 fps (100 Hz) |
Quantum efficiency |
at 20 keV: >90% at 40 keV: 81% |
The full technical specification can be found here.
DIAD comes equipped with two sample manipulation stages that can be used for experiments. Either of the stages can be equipped with a Huber 1005 or 1007S. The goniometer accepts 3.15 mm diameter pins for specimen mounting.
General Tomography Stage
This is the main stage for X-ray Computed Tomography.
Maximum weight limit |
10 kg (0.5 kg for high speed) |
Mountable area |
170 mm x 170 mm |
Rotation speed |
0.167 - 600 RPM*,** |
Vertical travel |
±25 mm |
Specimen centring |
±5 mm |
Height to beam |
230 mm ±25 mm |
*The maximum rotation speed used for data collection sample dependent
** currently limited to 180 RPM
Large-scale Experiment Stage
This stage is designed to accommodate large in situ experiments built by users. The stage is able to move in X, Y and Z direction. NOTE: the stage is not able to rotate and therefore tomography is not possible.
Maximum weight limit |
100 kg |
Mountable area |
480 mm x 330 mm |
Vertical travel |
±25 mm |
Experiment centring |
±5 mm |
Height to beam |
375 mm ±25 mm |
DIAD provides a series of sample environments for in situ experiments. The beamline can also integrate user-provided environments. Please contact a member of the DIAD team ahead of submission of a beamtime proposal to discuss requirements and feasibility of the setup.
Controllable Environmental Chamber
For experiments where a controlled environment is required around the sample, a controllable environment chamber is available at DIAD. This cell allows the control of temperature, humidity and gas composition around the sample, and is compatible with the GTS for rotating tomography experiments.
Temperature |
5-85 °C, ±0.25 °C accuracy |
Humidity |
5-95%RH @≤60 °C 5-70%RH @≤85 °C ±2%RH accuracy |
Gases available |
Air Nitrogen Argon |
Gas ratios |
0-100%, 5% increment |
Sample chamber volume |
900 ml (approximately, dimensions below) |
Other Experimental Equipment
Other equipment for sample processing is available at the beamline.
Potentiostat |
Outputs ±10 V & ± 30 mA, high sensitivity ranges down to 1 pA (0.15 fA resolution), EIS 10 µHz – 3 MHz (single-, and multi-sine modes) |
Available |
Syringe pump |
Infusion/withdrawal, 1.56 pl/min (0.5 µl syringe) to 216 ml (140 ml) |
Available |
Tomo rig for sample imaging with X-rays |
Test rig for in situ loading, electomechanical lead screw driven system for quasi-static testing. Max 5 kN tensile/compressive strength |
In production |
Users will have access to the following infrastructure during their beamtime for sample preparation and pre-characterisation.
Microscopy suite
|
X10 to x60 stereo microscope |
Available |
Fridge/Freezer |
5 °C fridge -20 °C freezer |
Available |
General lab access |
Sample preparation room including hot plate, scales, glassware |
Available |
Access to wet chemistry laboratories |
|
By prior arrangement only, please contact the DIAD beamline team |
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