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Showing papers on "Synchrotron radiation published in 2015"


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Mar 2015-IUCrJ
TL;DR: The advent of hard X-ray free-electron lasers has opened a new chapter in macromolecular crystallography and the prospects of serial femtosecond crystallography are described.

263 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, high angular resolution synchrotron radiation diffraction measurements, realized operando on sodium batteries upon charge, reveal an extremely interesting phase diagram, created by the successive crystallization of four intermediate phases before the end composition NaV2(PO4)2F3 is reached.
Abstract: Na3V2(PO4)2F3 is a positive electrode material for Na-ion batteries which is attracting strong interest due to its high capacity, rate capability, and long-term cycling stability. The sodium extraction mechanism from this material has been always described in the literature as a straightforward solid solution, but several hints point toward a more complicated phase diagram. In this work we performed high angular resolution synchrotron radiation diffraction measurements, realized operando on sodium batteries upon charge. We reveal an extremely interesting phase diagram, created by the successive crystallization of four intermediate phases before the end composition NaV2(PO4)2F3 is reached. Only one of these phases undergoes a solid solution reaction, in the interval between 1.8 and 1.3 Na per formula unit. The ability to resolve weak Bragg reflections allowed us to reveal differences in terms of symmetry among the phases, to determine their previously unknown space groups, and to correlate them with sodium...

201 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work demonstrates a fundamentally new approach to precision beta spectroscopy for future neutrino mass experiments by demonstrating single-electron detection in a novel radio-frequency spectrometer and the relativistic shift in the cyclotron frequency permits a precise electron energy measurement.
Abstract: Since 1897, we've understood that accelerating charges must emit electromagnetic radiation. Cyclotron radiation, the particular form of radiation emitted by an electron orbiting in a magnetic field, was first derived in 1904. Despite the simplicity of this concept, and the enormous utility of electron spectroscopy in nuclear and particle physics, single-electron cyclotron radiation has never been observed directly. We demonstrate single-electron detection in a novel radiofrequency spec- trometer. Here, we observe the cyclotron radiation emitted by individual magnetically-trapped electrons that are produced with mildly-relativistic energies by a gaseous radioactive source. The relativistic shift in the cyclotron frequency permits a precise electron energy measurement. Precise beta electron spectroscopy from gaseous radiation sources is a key technique in modern efforts to measure the neutrino mass via the tritium decay endpoint, and this work demonstrates a fundamentally new approach to precision beta spectroscopy for future neutrino mass experiments.

118 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review explores the concept of three-dimensional crack- Tip X-ray microscopy, bringing them together to probe the crack-tip behaviour under realistic environmental and loading conditions and to extract quantitative fracture mechanics information about the local crack- tip environment.
Abstract: To better understand the relationship between the nucleation and growth of defects and the local stresses and phase changes that cause them, we need both imaging and stress mapping. Here, we explore how this can be achieved by bringing together synchrotron X-ray diffraction and tomographic imaging. Conventionally, these are undertaken on separate synchrotron beamlines; however, instruments capable of both imaging and diffraction are beginning to emerge, such as ID15 at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility and JEEP at the Diamond Light Source. This review explores the concept of three-dimensional crack-tip X-ray microscopy, bringing them together to probe the crack-tip behaviour under realistic environmental and loading conditions and to extract quantitative fracture mechanics information about the local crack-tip environment. X-ray diffraction provides information about the crack-tip stress field, phase transformations, plastic zone and crack-face tractions and forces. Time-lapse CT, besides providing information about the three-dimensional nature of the crack and its local growth rate, can also provide information as to the activation of extrinsic toughening mechanisms such as crack deflection, crack-tip zone shielding, crack bridging and crack closure. It is shown how crack-tip microscopy allows a quantitative measure of the crack-tip driving force via the stress intensity factor or the crack-tip opening displacement. Finally, further opportunities for synchrotron X-ray microscopy are explored.

91 citations


Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2015
TL;DR: In this paper, the main characteristics and properties of synchrotron radiation sources and of the produced radiation are introduced and explained using a simple approach, and the main properties of the generated radiation are discussed.
Abstract: Relativistic charged particles forced to move along curved trajectories by applied magnetic fields emit electromagnetic radiation called Synchrotron Radiation; today electron storage rings are routinely used to provide synchrotron radiation to users in a wide spectral range from infrared to hard X-rays. Thanks to its peculiar characteristics, synchrotron radiation is one of the more powerful tools for investigating the properties of matter in many different fields like molecular and atomic physics, cell biology, medical applications, nanotechnology, catalysis and cultural heritage. Up to now three generations of synchrotron radiation sources emitting radiation with increasing quality have been developed; the fourth generation, based on free-electron lasers, already produces high power and ultrafast pulses of highly coherent radiation. In the present contribution, the main characteristics and properties of the synchrotron radiation sources and of the produced radiation are introduced and explained using a simple approach.

90 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors measured the width of the EFE spectrum of gamma-ray bursts and compared it with the minimum width of synchrotron emission from a Maxwellian distribution of electrons.
Abstract: The emission processes active in the highly relativistic jets of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) remain unknown. In this paper, we propose a new measure to describe spectra: the width of the EFE spectrum, a quantity dependent only on finding a good fit to the data. We apply this to the full sample of GRBs observed by Fermi/Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) and Compton Gamma-ray Observatory/Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE). The results from the two instruments are fully consistent. We find that the median widths of spectra from long and short GRBs are significantly different (chance probability < 10(-6)). The width does not correlate with either duration or hardness, and this is thus a new, independent distinction between the two classes. Comparing the measured spectra with widths of spectra from fundamental emission processes - synchrotron and blackbody radiation - the results indicate that a large fraction of GRB spectra are too narrow to be explained by synchrotron radiation from a distribution of electron energies: for example, 78 per cent of long GRBs and 85 per cent of short GRBs are incompatible with the minimum width of standard slow cooling synchrotron emission from a Maxwellian distribution of electrons, with fast cooling spectra predicting even wider spectra. Photospheric emission can explain the spectra if mechanisms are invoked to give a spectrum much broader than a blackbody.

76 citations


BookDOI
01 Jan 2015
TL;DR: In this article, the basic principles of synchrotron radiation are discussed. And applications of these principles are discussed, including: Fundamental Interactions and Methods, Experimental Methods, and Applications.
Abstract: Basics of Synchrotron Radiation.- Fundamental Interactions and Methods.- Experimental Methods.- Applications.

72 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used axisymmetric relativistic MHD simulations to obtain constraints on the acceleration sites(s) of particles of different energies in the Crab Nebula.
Abstract: The Crab Nebula is one of the most efficient accelerators in the Galaxy and the only galactic source showing direct evidence of PeV particles. In spite of this, the physical process behind such effective acceleration is still a deep mystery. While particle acceleration, at least at the highest energies, is commonly thought to occur at the pulsar wind termination shock, the properties of the upstream flow are thought to be non-uniform along the shock surface, and important constraints on the mechanism at work come from exact knowledge of where along this surface particles are being accelerated. Here we use axisymmetric relativistic MHD simulations to obtain constraints on the acceleration site(s) of particles of different energies in the Crab Nebula. Various scenarios are considered for the injection of particles responsible for synchrotron radiation in the different frequency bands, radio, optical and X-rays. The resulting emission properties are compared with available data on the multi wavelength time variability of the inner nebula. Our main result is that the X-ray emitting particles are accelerated in the equatorial region of the pulsar wind. Possible implications on the nature of the acceleration mechanism are discussed.

66 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The BL14W1 beamline at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) is an X-ray absorption fine-structure (XAFS) beamline for investigating atomic local structure, which is demanded extensively in the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, environmental science and so on as mentioned in this paper.

65 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a statistical analysis of polarized near-infrared light from Sgr A*, the radio source associated with the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way.
Abstract: We present a statistical analysis of polarized near-infrared light from Sgr A*, the radio source associated with the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. The observations were carried out using the adaptive optics instrument NACO at the VLT UT4 in the infrared K s -band from 2004 to 2012. Several polarized flux excursions were observed during these years. Linear polarization at 2.2 μ m, its statistics, and time variation, can be used constrain the physical conditions of the accretion process onto this supermassive black hole. With an exponent of about 4 for the number density histogram of fluxes above 5 mJy, the distribution of polarized flux density is closely linked to the single state power-law distribution of the total K s -band flux densities reported earlier. We find typical polarization degrees on the order of 20% ± 10% and a preferred polarization angle of 13° ± 15°. Simulations show the uncertainties under a total flux density of ~2 mJy are probably dominated by observational effects. At higher flux densities there are intrinsic variations of polarization degree and angle within well constrained ranges. Since the emission is most likely due to optically thin synchrotron radiation, the preferred polarization angle we find is very likely coupled to the intrinsic orientation of the Sgr A* system, i.e. a disk or jet/wind scenario associated with the supermassive black hole. If they are indeed linked to structural features of the source the data imply a rather stable geometry and accretion process for the Sgr A* system.

61 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a simulation of synchrotron-self Compton (SSC) emission from a rotation-powered pulsar is presented, where the radiating particles are assumed to be both accelerated primary electrons and a spectrum of electron-positron pairs produced in cascades near the polar cap.
Abstract: Results of a simulation of synchrotron-self Compton (SSC) emission from a rotation-powered pulsar are presented. The radiating particles are assumed to be both accelerated primary electrons and a spectrum of electron-positron pairs produced in cascades near the polar cap. They follow trajectories in a slot gap using 3D force-free magnetic field geometry, gaining pitch angles through resonant cyclotron absorption of radio photons, radiating and scattering synchrotron emission at high altitudes out to and beyond the light cylinder. Full angular dependence of the synchrotron photon density is simulated in the scattering and all processes are treated in the inertial observer frame. Spectra for the Crab and Vela pulsars as well as two energetic millisecond pulsars, B1821-24 and B1937+21 are simulated using this model. The simulation of the Crab pulsar radiation can reproduce both the flux level and the shape of the observed optical to hard X-ray emission assuming a pair multiplicity of M+ = 3x10(exp 5), as well as the very-high- energy emission above 50 GeV detected by MAGIC and VERITAS, with both the synchrotron and SSC components reflecting the shape of the pair spectrum. Simulations of Vela, B1821-24 and B1937+21, for M+ up to 10(exp 5), do not produce pair SSC emission that is detectable by current telescopes, indicating that only Crab-like pulsars produce significant SSC components. The pair synchrotron emission matches the observed X-ray spectrum of the millisecond pulsars and the predicted peak of this emission at 1-10 MeV would be detectable with planned Compton telescopes.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The role of the radiation reaction force in ultraintense laser-driven ion acceleration is investigated and Ion mass is demonstrated to be important by comparing results obtained with proton and deuteron plasma.
Abstract: The role of the radiation reaction force in ultraintense laser-driven ion acceleration is investigated. For laser intensities ∼10 23W/cm2, the action of this force on electrons is demonstrated in relativistic particle-in-cell simulations to significantly enhance the energy transfer to ions in relativistically transparent targets, but strongly reduce the ion energy in dense plasma targets. An expression is derived for the revised piston velocity, and hence ion energy, taking account of energy loses to synchrotron radiation generated by electrons accelerated in the laser field. Ion mass is demonstrated to be important by comparing results obtained with proton and deuteron plasma. The results can be verified in experiments with cryogenic hydrogen and deuterium targets.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Assessment of the impact of soft X-rays on formalin fixed cells on a systematic manner reveals that while cell morphology is not substantially affected, cellular biochemical profile changes significantly and progressively when increasing dose, resulting in a severe breakdown of the covalent bonding network.
Abstract: Soft X-Ray Microscopy Radiation Damage On Fixed Cells Investigated With Synchrotron Radiation FTIR Microscopy

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that the gamma-ray emission of two pulsars, including Crab and Vela, can be explained by synchrotron radiation from the current sheet of a striped wind, expanding with a modest Lorentz factor.
Abstract: The population of gamma-ray pulsars, including Crab observed in the TeV range, and Vela detected above 50 GeV, challenges existing models of pulsed high-energy emission. Such models should be universally applicable, yet they should account for spectral differences among the pulsars. We show that the gamma-ray emission of Crab and Vela can be explained by synchrotron radiation from the current sheet of a striped wind, expanding with a modest Lorentz factor $\Gamma\lesssim100$ in the Crab case, and $\Gamma\lesssim50$ in the Vela case. In the Crab spectrum a new synchrotron self-Compton component is expected to be detected by the upcoming experiment CTA. We suggest that the gamma-ray spectrum directly probes the physics of relativistic magnetic reconnection in the striped wind. In the most energetic pulsars, like Crab, with $\dot{E}_{38}^{3/2}/P_{-2}\gtrsim0.002$ (where $\dot{E}$ is the spin down power, $P$ is the pulsar period, and $X=X_i\times10^i$ in CGS units), reconnection proceeds in the radiative cooling regime and results in a soft power-law distribution of cooling particles; in less powerful pulsars, like Vela, particle energization is limited by the current sheet size, and a hard particle spectrum reflects the acceleration mechanism. A strict lower limit on the number density of radiating particles corresponds to emission close to the light cylinder, and, in units of the GJ density, it is $\gtrsim0.5$ in the Crab wind, and $\gtrsim0.05$ in the Vela wind.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors demonstrate the possibility to directly observe the electron bunch microstructures with sub-picosecond resolution, in a storage ring accelerator, using a strategy from photonics, time-stretch, consisting in slowing-down the phenomena before recording.
Abstract: Emission of light by a single electron moving on a curved trajectory (synchrotron radiation) is one of the most well-known fundamental radiation phenomena. However experimental situations are more complex as they involve many electrons, each being exposed to the radiation of its neighbors. This interaction has dramatic consequences, one of the most spectacular being the spontaneous formation of spatial structures inside electrons bunches. This fundamental effect is actively studied as it represents one of the most fundamental limitations in electron accelerators, and at the same time a source of intense terahertz radiation (Coherent Synchrotron Radiation, or CSR). Here we demonstrate the possibility to directly observe the electron bunch microstructures with subpicosecond resolution, in a storage ring accelerator. The principle is to monitor the terahertz pulses emitted by the structures, using a strategy from photonics, time-stretch, consisting in slowing-down the phenomena before recording. This opens the way to unpreceeded possibilities for analyzing and mastering new generation high power coherent synchrotron sources.

Journal ArticleDOI
Abstract: We present an analysis of the level of polarized dust and synchrotron emission using the WMAP9 and Planck data. The primary goal of this study is to inform the assessment of foreground contamination in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) measurements below l ~ 200 from 23 to 353 GHz. We compute angular power spectra as a function of sky cut based on the Planck 353 GHz polarization maps. Our primary findings are the following. (1) There is a spatial correlation between the dust emission as measured by Planck at 353 GHz and the synchrotron emission as measured by WMAP at 23 GHz with ρ ≈ 0.4 or greater for l < 20 and fsky ≥ 0.5, dropping to ρ ≈ 0.2 for 30 < l < 200. (2) A simple foreground model with dust, synchrotron, and their correlation fits well to all possible cross spectra formed with the WMAP and Planck 353 GHz data given the current uncertainties. (3) In the 50% cleanest region of the polarized dust map, the ratio of synchrotron to dust amplitudes at 90 GHz for 50 ≤ l ≤110 is 0.3−0.2+0.3. Smaller regions of sky can be cleaner although the uncertainties in our knowledge of synchrotron emission are larger. A high-sensitivity measurement of synchrotron below 90 GHz will be important for understanding all the components of foreground emission near 90 GHz.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Comparison with simulated measurements integrating over the energy spectrum shows that there is no significant loss of image quality due to the use of polychromatic radiation, and the imaging system exploits radiation in the same way at all energies typically used in hard-X-ray imaging.
Abstract: Compatibility with polychromatic radiation is an important requirement for an imaging system using conventional rotating anode X-ray sources. With a commercially available energy-resolving single-photon-counting detector we investigated how broadband radiation affects the performance of a multi-modal edge-illumination phase-contrast imaging system. The effect of X-ray energy on phase retrieval is presented, and the achromaticity of the method is experimentally demonstrated. Comparison with simulated measurements integrating over the energy spectrum shows that there is no significant loss of image quality due to the use of polychromatic radiation. This means that, to a good approximation, the imaging system exploits radiation in the same way at all energies typically used in hard-X-ray imaging.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The potential of synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray absorption and fluorescence techniques, and two- and three-dimensional imaging techniques are examined and their applications to plant sciences are introduced.
Abstract: While synchrotron radiation is a powerful tool in material and biomedical sciences, it is still underutilized in plant research. This mini review attempts to introduce the potential of synchrotron-based spectroscopic and imaging methods and their applications to plant sciences. Synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray absorption and fluorescence techniques, and two- and three-dimensional imaging techniques are examined. We also discuss the limitations of synchrotron-based research in plant sciences, specifically the types of plant samples that can be used. Despite limitations, the unique features of synchrotron radiation such as high brightness, polarization and pulse properties offer great advantages over conventional spectroscopic and imaging tools and enable the correlation of the structure and chemical composition of plants with biochemical function. Modern detector technologies and experimental methodologies are thus enabling plant scientists to investigate aspects of plant sciences such as ultrafast kinetics of biochemical reactions, mineral uptake, transport and accumulation, and dynamics of cell wall structure and composition during environmental stress in unprecedented ways using synchrotron beamlines. The potential for the automation of some of these synchrotron technologies and their application to plant phenotyping is also discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is believed that a context dependent choice of synchrotron or XFEL radiation will accelerate progress towards novel insights in understanding membrane protein structure and dynamics.

Reference BookDOI
10 Feb 2015
TL;DR: Seeck et al. as mentioned in this paper presented an overview of X-Ray Scattering and Diffraction Theory and Techniques, Oliver H. Seeck Micro- and Nano-diffraction, Christina Krywka and Martin Mueller Small-Angle X-ray Scattering, Ulla Vainio The XRay Standing Wave Technique: Fourier Analysis with Chemical Sensitivity.
Abstract: An Overview of X-Ray Scattering and Diffraction Theory and Techniques, Oliver H. Seeck Scattering and Diffraction Beamlines at Synchrotron Radiation Sources, Oliver H. Seeck Micro- and Nano-diffraction, Christina Krywka and Martin Mueller Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering, Ulla Vainio The X-Ray Standing Wave Technique: Fourier Analysis with Chemical Sensitivity, Jorg Zegenhagen Inelastic X-Ray Scattering from Phonons, Alexej Bosak and Michael Krisch Magnetic X-Ray Scattering, Steve Collins Nuclear Resonant Scattering of Synchrotron Radiation: Applications in Magnetism, Ralf Rohlsberger Reflectivity at Liquid Interfaces, Bridget M. Murphy X-Ray Diffraction at Extreme Conditions: Today and Tomorrow, Hanns-Peter Liermann Synchrotron Tomography, Astrid Haibel Coherent X-Ray Diffraction Imaging of Nanostructures, Ivan Vartanyants and Oleksandr Yefanov X-Ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy, Christian Gutt and Michael Sprung

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the sharpness of the time-resolved prompt emission spectra of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) observed by the Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) on board the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope was analyzed.
Abstract: Context. We study the sharpness of the time-resolved prompt emission spectra of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) observed by the Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope.Aims. We aim to obtain a measure of the curvature of time-resolved spectra that can be compared directly to theory. This tests the ability of models such as synchrotron emission to explain the peaks or breaks of GBM prompt emission spectra.Methods. We take the burst sample from the official Fermi GBM GRB time-resolved spectral catalog. We re-fit all spectra with a measured peak or break energy in the catalog best-fit models in various energy ranges, which cover the curvature around the spectral peak or break, resulting in a total of 1113 spectra being analyzed. We compute the sharpness angles under the peak or break of the triangle constructed under the model fit curves and compare them to the values obtained from various representative emission models: blackbody, single-electron synchrotron, synchrotron emission from a Maxwellian or power-law electron distribution.Results. We find that 35% of the time-resolved spectra are inconsistent with the single-electron synchrotron function, and 91% are inconsistent with the Maxwellian synchrotron function. The single temperature, single emission time, and location blackbody function is found to be sharper than all the spectra. No general evolutionary trend of the sharpness angle is observed, neither per burst nor for the whole population. It is found that the limiting case, a single temperature Maxwellian synchrotron function, can only contribute up to 58-18 +23 % of the peak flux.Conclusions. Our results show that even the sharpest but non-realistic case, the single-electron synchrotron function, cannot explain a large fraction of the observed GRB prompt spectra. Because any combination of physically possible synchrotron spectra added together will always further broaden the spectrum, emission mechanisms other than optically thin synchrotron radiation are likely required in a full explanation of the spectral peaks or breaks of the GRB prompt emission phase.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The first experimental characterization of the polarization properties of an extreme ultraviolet high gain free-electron laser operated with crossed polarized undulators is reported, in agreement with predictions based on Gaussian beams propagation.
Abstract: Polarization control is a key feature of light generated by short-wavelength free-electron lasers. In this work, we report the first experimental characterization of the polarization properties of an extreme ultraviolet high gain free-electron laser operated with crossed polarized undulators. We investigate the average degree of polarization and the shot-to-shot stability and we analyze aspects such as existing possibilities for controlling and switching the polarization state of the emitted light. The results are in agreement with predictions based on Gaussian beams propagation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Inverse Compton scattering of laser photons by ultrarelativistic electron beam provides polarized x-to-γ-ray pulses due to the Doppler blueshifting as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Inverse Compton scattering of laser photons by ultrarelativistic electron beam provides polarized x- to $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray pulses due to the Doppler blueshifting. Nonlinear electrodynamics in the relativistically intense linearly polarized laser field changes the radiation kinetics established during the Compton interaction. These are due to the induced figure-8 motion, which introduces an overall redshift in the radiation spectrum, with the concomitant emission of higher order harmonics. To experimentally analyze the strong field physics associated with the nonlinear electron-laser interaction, clear modifications to the angular and wavelength distributions of x rays are observed. The relativistic photon wave field is provided by the ps ${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$ laser of peak normalized vector potential of $0.5l{a}_{L}l0.7$, which due to the quadratic dependence of the strength of nonlinear phenomena on ${a}_{L}$ permits sufficient effects not observed in past 2nd harmonic study with ${a}_{L}\ensuremath{\approx}0.3$ laser [, Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 054802 (2006)]. The angular spectral characteristics are revealed using $K$-, $L$-edge, and high energy attenuation filters. The observation indicates existence of the electrons' longitudinal motion through frequency redshifting understood as the mass shift effect. Thus, the 3rd harmonic radiation has been observed containing on-axis x-ray component that is directly associated with the induced figure-8 motion. These are further supported by an initial evidence of off-axis 2nd harmonic radiation produced in a circularly polarized laser wave field. Total x-ray photon number per pulse, scattered by 65 MeV electron beam of 0.3 nC, at the interaction point is measured to be approximately ${10}^{9}$.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work demonstrates highly sensitive infrared spectroscopy of sample volumes close to the diffraction limit by coupling a femtosecond fiber-feedback optical parametric oscillator (OPO) to a conventional Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer.
Abstract: We demonstrate highly sensitive infrared spectroscopy of sample volumes close to the diffraction limit by coupling a femtosecond fiber-feedback optical parametric oscillator (OPO) to a conventional Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. The high brilliance and long-term stable infrared radiation with 1e2-bandwidths up to 125 nm is easily tunable between 1.4 μm and 4.2 μm at 43 MHz repetition rate and thus enables rapid and low-noise infrared spectroscopy. We demonstrate this by measuring typical molecular vibrations in the range of 3 μm. Combined with surface-enhanced infrared spectroscopy, where the confined electromagnetic near-fields of resonantly excited metal nanoparticles are employed to enhance molecular vibrations, we realize the spectroscopic detection of a molecular monolayer of octadecanethiol. In comparison to conventional light sources and synchrotron radiation, our compact table-top OPO system features a significantly improved performance making it highly suitable for rapid analysis of minute amounts of molecular species in life science and medicine laboratories.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The first observation of synchrotron radiation from relativistic electrons in circular accelerators was made at the General Electric Research Laboratory in Schenectady, New York, on April 24, 1947 as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Although natural synchrotron radiation from charged particles spiraling around magnetic-field lines in space is as old as the stars—for example, the light we see from the Crab Nebula—short-wavelength synchrotron radiation generated by relativistic electrons in circular accelerators is a modern phenomenon. The first observation—literally, since it was visible light that was seen—came at the General Electric Research Laboratory in Schenectady, New York, on April 24, 1947. In the 68 years since, synchrotron radiation has become a premier research tool for the study of matter in all its varied manifestations, as facilities around the world constantly evolved to provide this light in ever more useful forms.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, high energy x-rays from intense synchrotron light sources are used in transmission geometry to analyze ion-induced structural and chemical modifications throughout the ion tracks, particularly useful for characterizing the annealing kinetics of irradiation-induced material modifications.
Abstract: Recent efforts to characterize the nanoscale structural and chemical modifications induced by energetic ion irradiation in nuclear materials have greatly benefited from the application of synchrotron-based x-ray diffraction (XRD) and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) techniques. Key to the study of actinide-bearing materials has been the use of small sample volumes, which are particularly advantageous, as the small quantities minimize the level of radiation exposure at the ion-beam and synchrotron user facility. This approach utilizes energetic heavy ions (energy range: 100 MeV–3 GeV) that pass completely through the sample thickness and deposit an almost constant energy per unit length along their trajectory. High energy x-rays (25–65 keV) from intense synchrotron light sources are then used in transmission geometry to analyze ion-induced structural and chemical modifications throughout the ion tracks. We describe in detail the experimental approach for utilizing synchrotron radiation (SR) to study the radiation response of a range of nuclear materials (e.g., ThO2 and Gd2TixZr2− xO7). Also addressed is the use of high-pressure techniques, such as the heatable diamond anvil cell, as a new means to expose irradiated materials to well-controlled high-temperature (up to 1000 °C) and/or high-pressure (up to 50 GPa) conditions. This is particularly useful for characterizing the annealing kinetics of irradiation-induced material modifications.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded thatThomX has the potential of serving as the radiation source in future radiation therapy programs, and that ThomX can be integrated in hospital environment.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the Pixirad-1 detector system from the spectroscopic point of view has been characterized using different X-ray sources such as fluorescence lines, synchrotron radiation and radioactive elements.
Abstract: This work is focused on the characterization of the Pixirad-1 detector system from the spectroscopic point of view. An energy calibration has been carried out using different X-ray sources such as fluorescence lines, synchrotron radiation and radioactive elements. The energy resolution has been measured as function of the energy and the results have been compared with theoretical estimation. Last, the charge sharing fraction has been evaluated by exploiting the monochromatic energy of the Elettra synchrotron beam.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a large-area thin-film pyroelectric (TFP) detector is presented for power measurement in the terahertz (THz) spectral range.
Abstract: The national metrology institute of Germany, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), together with the company Sensor and Lasertechnik (SLT), develops pyroelectric detectors for radiation in the terahertz (THz) spectral range. The intention of this development is to deliver a highly sensitive, accurately calibrated detector for power measurement in the power range of time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) systems. This work reports about a large-area thin-film pyroelectric (TFP) detector applicable within a wide spectral range from 300 GHz to 30 THz and its radiometric characterization by PTB’s THz radiation sources. Applying coherent synchrotron radiation from the Metrology Light Source (MLS), laser radiation from a molecular gas laser and blackbody radiation from a water-heated blackbody to this detector reveal its potential to be capable of spanning an even wider THz frequency range than covered by TDS systems. To demonstrate this, its spectral responsivity was measured at different frequencies between 300 GHz and 30 THz by means of those three THz radiation sources.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a significant fraction of photon excess in heavy-ion collisions in the region $k_\bot=1-3$GeV can be attributed to the synchrotron radiation.
Abstract: Synchrotron photon spectrum in heavy-ion collisions is computed taking into account the spatial and temporal structure of magnetic field. It is found that a significant fraction of photon excess in heavy-ion collisions in the region $k_\bot=1-3$GeV can be attributed to the synchrotron radiation. Azimuthal anisotropy of the synchrotron photon spectrum is characterized by the Fourier coefficients $v_2=4/7$ and $v_4=1/10$ that are independent of photon momentum and centrality.