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XAFS2 Beamline

The XAFS2 beamline is an experimental station dedicated to X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy in the hard x-rays energy range (3.5 to 17.0 keV). It focus on the study of the atomic-level structure as well as in the electronic and magnetic properties of matter, with applications in a wide range of scientific fields, such as atomic and molecular physics, chemistry, biology, environmental and geosciences and cultural heritage. Experimental techniques available include Fluorescence Spectroscopy, X-ray Excited Optical Luminescence, X-ray Reflectivity and Combined X-ray Absorption Fine Structure and X-Ray Diffraction.

The XAFS2 is a general-purpose X-ray absorption beamline. Since the completion of the commissioning works in 2007, a large number of users have been using this experimental facility in order to perform several kinds of experiments in different scientific areas. After approximately 7 years in operation this beamline has been substantially updated in order to improve its experimental possibilities. A 4-circle Huber diffractometer has been recently incorporated to perform combined experiments. This equipment collects XRD patterns with the XAFS.

Through the development of a new sample environment, it is now also possible to perform these measurements in situ/operando conditions. Other upgrades include a complete remodeling of the beamline software and its control system. The control system of the beamline has been renovated by the installation of a PXI. The PXI is from National Instruments (PXI-NI) and communicates with Galil/Parker controllers on an EPICS platform. Some parts of the motors were changed in order to improve performance with the upgrade and there were also important changes to the control hardware. The Windows operational system was replaced with Red Hat Linux and the 3-WinDCM control system with EPICS. Furthermore, a new python based script (Py4Syn) was added. This provides high-level abstraction for device manipulation, scan routines, real-time plots and more. This package was created with the aim of providing a simple yet powerful tool to allow scientists and users to develop their own scripts for data acquisition. For user-friendly interface builds a Control System Studio (CS-Studio) is used. The next step with the XAFS2 upgrade, namely, towards a high-throughput XAFS beamline, will involve testing the viability of performing QEXAFS.

CONTACT & STAFF

For more information on this beamline, contact us.

EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES

The following experimental techniques and setups are available to users in this beamline. To learn more about the techniques’ limitations and requirements (sample, environment, etc.) contact the beamline coordinator before submitting your proposal.

Conventional Transmission and Fluorescence XAS

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is a widely used technique for determining the local geometric and/or electronic structure of matter. This setup is optimized for transmission and fluorescence XAS on “standard samples” in standard sample holders. The setup for these experiments has three ionization chambers, a multi-element solid state Ge fluorescence detector and a 5K cryostat. In general, the samples for these environments are membranes, pellets, thin films, liquid and bulk. More attention on sample homogeneity preparation must be given when in transmission mode.

Recent publications in this setup:

Sampaio DV, Souza NRS, Santos JCA, Silva DC, Fonseca EJS, Kucera C, Faugas B, Ballato J, Silva RS; Translucent and persistent luminescent SrAl2O4:Eu2+Dy3+ ceramics. CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL 42, 4306 (2016). doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2015.11.108

Cappellari P.S., Buceta D., Morales G.M., Barbero C.A., Moreno M.S., Giovanetti L.J., Ramallo Lopez J.M., Requejo F.G., Craievich A.F., Planes G.A.. Synthesis of ultra-small cysteine-capped gold nanoparticles by pH switching of the Au(I)–cysteine polymer. JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE 441, 17 (2015). doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2014.11.016


In-situ XAS

This setup allow to submit the samples to different gas atmospheres, while heating up to 1000°C and work on transmission or fluorescence mode. There is a tubular furnace used in transmission and the samples are prepared as pellets. For in-situ fluorescence the sample are powder diluted in boron nitride inside a capillary. The optical table currently has three ionization chambers, a set of slits and motorized stages for user-supplied equipment. If you seek to use the in-situ setup you should contact us well in advance of any proposal deadline to establish technical feasibility.

Recent publications in this setup:

Coletta V.C.; Marcos F.C.F.; Nogueira F.G.E., Bernardi M.I.B; Michalowicz A.; Goncalves R.V.; Assaf, E.M.; Mastelaro V.R.. In situ study of copper reduction in SrTi1-xCuxO3 nanoparticles. PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS 18, 2070 (2016). doi: 10.1039/C5CP05939A

Ribeiro R.U., Meira D.M., Oliveira D.C., Rodella C.B., Bueno J.M.C., Zanchet D. Probing the stability of Pt nanoparticles on encapsulated in sol-gel Al2O3 using in situ and ex situ characterization techniques. APPLIED CATALYSIS A-GENERAL 485, 108 (2014). doi:10.1016/j.apcata.2014.07.039


X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL)

This setup allows to get information about the optical behavior of a material when it irradiated with X-rays. It is possible to measure the emission spectra and/or the integrated luminescence as an energy function. Low temperature measurements (cryo-XEOL) are available using a cryostat, reaching 15K.  If you seek to use the XEOL setup you should contact us well in advance of any proposal deadline to establish technical feasibility.

Recent publications in this setup:

Hora DA, Andrade AB, Ferreira NS, Teixeira VC, Rezende, MVS (2016). X-ray excited optical luminescence of Eu-doped YAG nanophosphors produced via glucose sol–gel route. Ceramics International, 42(8), 10516-10519 (2016).
doi: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2016.03.142

Rezende M.V., Montes P.J.R., Andrade A.B., Macedo Z.S., Valerio M.E.G.. Mechanism of X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL) in Europium doped BaAl2O4 phosphor. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 18, 17646-17654 (2016). doi: 10.1039/C6CP01183G

LAYOUT & OPTICAL ELEMENTS

Element Type Position [m] Description
Source Bending Magnet 0.0 Bending Magnet D08 exit B (15°)
1st cooled-slit system Two cooled UHV slit systems – vertically and horizontally – based on four independent mechanical feedthroughs, each one supporting at its ends a Ta blade mounted on a copper block. 8.0 Defines the lateral and vertical dimensions of the polychromatic beam impinging on the first mirror
1st mirror Rh-coated cylindrical vertical collimating mirror with a ~3mrad grazing incidence angle 9.2 Collimate vertically the white radiation and sends a parallel synchrotron beam onto the two flat Si(111) Double Crystal Monochromator (DCM)
Double Crystal Monochromator (DCM) Flat Si(111) Double Crystal Monochromator 10.5 The DCM has fixed exit geometry and is the only optical element with thermal stabilization (i.e. water cooled).
2nd slit system Two UHV slit systems – vertically and horizontally – based on four independent mechanical feedthroughs, each one supporting at its ends a Ta blade mounted on a copper block. 11.6 Without refrigeration, these slits are used to eliminate the spurious background radiation.
2nd mirror Rh-coated toroidal bendable mirror 12.8 It refocuses vertically and horizontally the monochromatic beam of approximately 450 µm in diameter at the sample position

PARAMETERS

Parameter Value Condition
Energy range [keV] 3.5 – 17.0 Si(111)
Energy resolution [ΔE/E] 1.7 x 10-4 at 7 keV
Beam size [µm2, FWHM] 450 x 250 at sample position
Flux density at sample [ph/s/mm2] 2.78 x 109 photons/s at 7 keV and 100mA Measured with a photodiode 100% efficient
Harmonic Content 3.94 x 10-5 at 7.5 keV

INSTRUMENTATION

Instrument Type Model Manufacturer Specifications
Detector Ion Chamber Two electrodes in a distance of 14 mm. Length of 137 mm, 221 mm and 381 mm. A 25 µm kapton window with a in/out area of 12 x 30 mm2 LNLS in-house development
Detector 15-element Germanium Solid State Detector (SSD) G-15 SSD High counting rate capability – 300.000cts/s. Si detector total active area – 750 mm2. Element sensitive thickness – 5 mm. N2 liquid cooled. Canberra
Detector Electron Detector Collector electrode (He medium) in an electric field produced by a 60V battery. The output is a signal amplification of about two orders of magnitude LNLS in-house development
Detector Photomultiplier Model R928 Side-on; V = -1200 V. It output is in current mode. Hamamatsu
Detector Spectrometer USB2000+ covers the 200-1100 nm range and connects to light sources, optical fibers and other accessories Ocean Optics
Furnace Transmission/ Fluorescence Capilar Max Temp.: 900 C, Temp Rate: 10C/s. E5CK-T Ramp/Soak Process Controller-Omron. Sample holder for capillars (ID 0.8 mm/ OD 1mm) (ID 1 mm/ OD 1.2 mm) (ID 2 mm/ OD 2.2 mm) LNLS in-house development
Furnace Transmission Tubular Max Temp.: 1100 C, Temp Rate: 10C/s. E5CK-T Ramp/Soak Process Controller-Omron. Sample holders of 8 mm and 4 mm diameters LNLS in-house development
Diffractometer 4-circle 424-511.1 Resolution (θ, 2θ, φ, χ) = 0.001° Huber
Mass spectrometer Gas Analysis System OmniStar QMS 200 Tungsten (standard) filament. Mass range 1-100 amu. Gas flow rate 1-2 sccm. Qualitative and quantitative gas analysis. Pfeiffer Vacuum
Cryostat Cryogen free and top loading sample in helium, fast sample change. Omniplex: CS204*F-FMX-19OP High cooling power and fast cooldown. 4 K cold head (0.2 W at 4.2 K). 180° Kapton window for x-ray fluorescence detection mode ARS
Cryostat for cryo-XEOL Cooling power He closed cycle cryocooler DE-202 Cryocooler series Tmin = 15K

CONTROL AND DATA ACQUISITION

All beamline controls are done through EPICS (Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System), running on a PXI from National Instruments. The data acquisition is done using a Red Hat workstation with the Py4Syn, developed at LNLS by SOL group. CSS (Control System Studio) is used as a graphical interface to display and control the beamline devices.

The beamline can be operated remotely by using LabWeb for experiments in conventional transmission (without furnaces and gases). We are working to improve these possibilities on Sirius. For more details, contact the beamline coordinator.

DOCUMENTATION

Click here to download the XAFS2 beamline manual (in portuguese).

HOW TO CITE THIS FACILITY

Users are required to acknowledge the use of LNLS facilities in any paper, conference presentation, thesis and any other published material that uses data obtained in the execution of their proposal.

 

Additionally, in publications related to this facility, please cite the following publication.

FIGUEROA, S. J. A.; MAURICIO, J. C.; MURARI, J.; BENIZ, D. B.; PITON, J. R.; SLEPICKA, H. H.; FALCÃO DE SOUSA, M.; ESPÍNDOLA, A. M.; LEVINSKY, A. P. S.. Journal of Physics: Conference Series 712 (2016) 012022. DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/712/1/012022

The XAFS2 is a general-purpose X-ray absorption beamline. It is the second one built at the LNLS. After approximately 7 years in operation this beamline has been substantially updated in order to improve its experimental possibilities. Recently arrived, a 4-circle Huber diffractometer has been incorporated to perform combined experiments. This collects XRD patterns with the XAFS. Through the development of a new sampling environment it is now also possible to perform these measurements in situ/operando conditions. Other upgrades include a complete remodelling of the beamline software and its control system. The following new systems are crucial for the next steps that are currently underway at the beamline, namely, (i) enabling remote access for users and (ii) the testing of QEXAFS measurements.

PUBLICATIONS

XAFS2

Scientific publications produced with data obtained at the facilities of this beamline, and published in journals indexed by the Web of Science, are listed below.

Attention Users: Given the importance of the previous scientific results to the overall proposal evaluation process, users are strongly advised to check and update their publication record at the SAU Online website.


Chocobar-Ponce, S. ;Prado, C. ;Tabernero, R. ;Ilina, N. ;Pagano, E. ;Ramallo-López, J. M.;Mizrahi, M.;Rosa, M.. The reduction of Cr(VI) in Salvinia minima, possible involvement of an h-type thioredoxin, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, v.29, p. 3958–3966, 2022. DOI:10.1007/s11356-021-15967-z


Sampaio, D. V.;Pena, R. B. ;Moulton, B. J. A.;Rezende, M. V. dos S.;Silva, D. do C. ;Silva, R. S. da;Cunha, T. R. da;Mastelaro, V. R.;Zanotto, E. D.;Pizani, P. S.. Chromium in lead metasilicate glass: Solubility, valence, and local environment via multiple spectroscopy, Ceramics International, v.48, n.1, p.173-178, 2022. DOI:10.1016/j.ceramint.2021.08.377


Teixeira, M. M. ;Santos, L. C. ;Tello, A. C. M. ;Almeida, P. B. ;Silva, J. S. da ;Laier, L. O. ;Gracia, L.;Teodoro, M. D.;Silva, L. F. da;Andrés, J.;Longo, E.. aeAg2WO4 under microwave, electron beam and femtosecond laser irradiations: Unveiling the relationship between morphology and photoluminescence emissions, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, v.903, p.163840, 2022. DOI:10.1016/j.jallcom.2022.163840


Marcos, F. C. F.;Cavalcanti, F. M. ;Petrolini, D. D.;Lin, L. ;Betancourt, L. E. ;Senanayake, S. D. ;Rodriguez, J. A.;Assaf, J. M.;Giudici, R. ;Assaf, E. M.. Effect of operating parameters on H2/CO2 conversion to methanol over Cu-Zn oxide supported on ZrO2 polymorph catalysts: Characterization and kinetics, Chemical Engineering Journal, v.427, p.130947, 2022. DOI:10.1016/j.cej.2021.130947


Gomes, F. P. ;Barreto, M. S. C.;Amoozegar, A. ;Alleoni, L. R. F.. Immobilization of lead by amendments in a mine-waste impacted soil: Assessing Pb retention with desorption kinetic, sequential extraction and XANES spectroscopy, Science of the Total Environment, v.807, n.1, p.150711, 2022. DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150711


Matte, L. P.;Thill, A. S.;Lobato, F. O.;Novôa, M. T. ;Muniz, A. R. ;Poletto, F. S.;Bernardi, F.. Reduction-Driven 3D to 2D Transformation of Cu Nanoparticles, Small, v.18, n.7, p.2106583, 2022. DOI:10.1002/smll.202106583


Bravo, C. A. O.;Figueroa, S. J. A.;Portela, R. ;Chagas, C. A.;Bañares, M. A. ;Toniolo, F. S.. Elucidating the structure of the W and Mn sites on the Mn-Na2WO4/SiO2 catalyst for the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) at real reaction temperatures, Journal of Catalysis, v.408, p.423-435, 2022. DOI:10.1016/j.jcat.2021.06.021