XPDF (I15-1)

Overview

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.

I15-1 is currently commissioning a new "ARC" detector which will revolutionise PDF data collections. This detector will allow faster and higher quality PDF data than ever possible before.

Latest news

The ARC detector has successfully been used for its first User experiment. We are still working on improving the data collection and processing workflows using this detector, but expect it to become the primary detector very soon.

Rapid Access

I15-1 aims to have slots available for Rapid Access experiments at regular intervals in the user programme. The next Rapid Access dates are 6th May 2024 and 10-11th July 2024. Please contact [email protected] if you are interested in submitting a Rapid Access proposal.

Current status

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
XPDF-ARC detector

Custom-built CdTe photon counting detector

55 μm pixel size, 25 Hz continuous collection, 500 Hz burst mode

 Online commissoining
Secondary detector Perkin Elmer XRD 4343 CT

432 × 432 mm2 active area

150 μm pixel size, 15 Hz read-out (TBC)

 Available
Hexapod sample stage

Symetrie Puna

40 mm (h) × 60 mm (v) travel

10 kg load capacity

 Available
Robotic sample changer 440 positions for spun capillaries Available
Hot air blower 350 - 1100 K Available
Cobra 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 (contact beamline staff for details)

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 [email protected].

Further information

For more information about any aspect of XPDF, please email [email protected].

For an overview of the potential applications, download the XPDF leaflet here.

Overview

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.

I15 & I15-1 Proposal Submission Update

We still hope to have the wiggler running by the restart in January, so this is only about the next call for proposals and NOT cancelling any of the experiments currently scheduled for January and February. In the last update regarding new proposals we had suggested we would open the system in December but now wish to wait.

We have decided to hold off the opening of a call for proposals due to the continuing issues of the wiggler repair, it’s move back into the storage ring and the need to reschedule cancelled experiments from AP26 into the AP27 period. With more parts due to arrive in November, and visits scheduled from both the cooling system and wiggler manufacturers before Christmas we remain optimistic that operations will resume in January, but of course cannot yet be certain. Rather than have users submit proposals with this uncertainty we will reassess the situation in late January and decide the best course of action at that time. We will then update the web site and send out an email to all registered users.

We continue to be disappointed with these delays and wish to reassure users that Diamond Staff are doing all that they can to resolve the issue through vigorous and continous engagement with the external suppliers, as well as considering long-term options going forward

I15 & I15-1 Beamtime Nov-Dec 2019 Cancelled

Following the second compressor failure in August, four new compressors were ordered so that all of them could be replaced, and leave a spare. These arrived in Oct and means that we have effectively completely replaced the He cooling system with new compressors and refurbished coolers on the superconducting magnet. However the company has now told us that one of the refurbished cold heads has failed, and even though we ordered spare parts for these back in August they cannot deliver until late November. We have pursued every option possible at this time, but the company are unable fix it in time for the run starting next week. We are thus having to cancel all beamtime during Nov and Dec. Beamtime scheduled for Jan through March will remain scheduled assuming the latest repairs planned in Dec are completed with no further issues. We are deeply disappointed that these problems have not been resolved despite vigorous and continuous engagement with the company. We are continuing to strive to fix the situation as soon as possible and are reconsidering our long-term options.

Latest news

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.

Current status

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 [email protected].

Further information

An overview of the XPDF beamline presented at the IUCr2017 conference is available here.
For more information about any aspect of XPDF, please email [email protected].

For an overview of the potential applications, download the XPDF leaflet here.

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