Beamline Specification

X-ray source characteristics

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.

Key information for Users
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.

Key information for Users
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

Imaging detector

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.

Key Information for Users:
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

PCO.edge 5.5 specification
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

Diffraction detector

DIAD uses a Dectris Pilatus 2M CdTe as the diffraction detector.

PILATUS3 X CdTe 2M Specification
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.

Specimen Manipulation

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.

General Tomography Stage Specification
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.

Large-scale Experiment Stage Specification
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

Experimental Sample Enviroments

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.

Environmental Chamber Specification
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.

Additional Experimental Equipment
Potentiostat Ivium compactStat.h	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 Biochrom PHD ultra	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

Sample Preparation and Processing

Users will have access to the following infrastructure during their beamtime for sample preparation and pre-characterisation.

Sample Preparation
Microscopy suite	X10 to x60 stereo microscope x5 to x50 transmitted/reflected light microscope 3 Mpixel digital camera	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

On this website

About Diamond

For Users

Industry

Science

Instruments

Careers

Public

Procurement

Software & Tools

Sub-navigation

In This Section

Sub Navigation

Instruments by Science Group

K11 DIAD Contact

Science Group Leader

Chris Nicklin

K11 DIAD: Dual Imaging and Diffraction