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Dislocation densities of GLIDCOP®, dispersion-strengthened copper with ultra-fine particles of aluminum oxide, were evaluated by employing the X-ray line profile analysis using the modified Williamson-Hall and modified Warren-Averbach methods. X-ray diffraction profiles for GlidCop samples with compressive strains applied at 200oC were measured with synchrotron radiation. The dislocation densities of GlidCop with compressive strain ranging from 0.6 to 4.3% were in the order of 3.2 × 1014–5.8 × 1014 m-2. The dislocation density increased with increasing the compressive strain within the measured strain range.

This work has successfully demonstrated a system for monitoring pink-beam X-rays exiting from a beamline front-end, which has a specific spatial distribution based on each energy component. In this study, the X-rays scattered from a single-crystal chemical-vapor-deposited diamond film were converted into a cross-sectional image using pinhole optics, followed by digitization with a direct detection complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor 2D detector. By using single crystals instead of poly-crystals, good quality images were obtained with no diffraction bright spots. As a result of applying photon energy discrimination using the droplet analysis to the image information, the spatial distribution of each energy component of the undulator radiation was successfully visualized. The result was found to be in good agreement with the theoretically calculated result obtained using the synchrotron radiation calculation code SPECTRA. The new synchrotron radiation beam monitor proposed in this paper can serve as a powerful beam diagnostic tool for diffraction-limited rings that require strict light source stability.

Dislocation densities of dispersion-strengthened copper with aluminum oxide, namely GlidCop were evaluated employing the X-ray line profile analysis using the modified Williamson-Hall and modified Warren-Averbach method. X-ray diffraction profiles for GldCop samples with compressive strains applied at ambient temperature were measured with synchrotron radiation. The dislocation densities of GlidCop with compressive strain ranging from 0 – 2.7 % were on the order of 1.5×1014 – 6.6×1014 m-2.

An x-ray beam position monitor (XBPM) prototype that can be operated in pulse mode has been designed and demonstrated. The monitor has a microstripline structure for signal transmission lines and a titanium electrode sputtered on a diamond heat sink as a photocathode. The detection elements of this monitor generate unipolar single pulses with a full width at half maximum of less than 1 ns, allowing a pulse-by-pulse measurement of the synchrotron radiation beam. By synthesizing these pulses, a directly readable position sensitive signal is provided from pulse to pulse. This monitor can be used in the direct current mode in which it exhibits a stability and resolution as good as those of conventional XBPMs. Results of the performance tests of the monitor at the SPring-8 synchrotron radiation beam line are also presented.

With low-emittance synchrotron radiation rings, introducing accurate x-ray beams to a sample is difficult, and ensuring that the direction of the undulator beam is stable is essential. However, measuring the centroid of the undulator photon beam at the beamline front-end (FE) is difficult because the soft x-ray radiation is contaminated by the bending magnets upstream and downstream of the undulator. The x-ray beam position monitors (XBPMs), based on the interaction with the halo of undulator radiation, cannot estimate the centroid of the beam, and they cannot eliminate the effects of the bending magnets. To solve this problem, we have developed an energy-resolved beam-monitoring system for undulator radiation with the scattering from a diamond thin film deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in this study. An undulator x-ray beam is irradiated onto this film, and its elastic and Compton scattering are observed through a 50 μm-diameter pinhole. A beam spot is detected through a pinhole camera system using a direct-detection-type charge-coupled device camera with energy resolution. The peak of the first-order harmonic of the undulator radiation is selectively visualized to measure the centroid of the undulator radiation, as well as the spectrum. The proposed system using a CVD diamond film can provide accurate position information for a photon beam exiting the FE.

The dislocation density of plastically deformed oxygen free copper (OFC) was evaluated by X-ray diffraction profile analysis with synchrotron radiation. The modified Williamson-Hall and modified Warren-Averbach methods were applied to the analysis. The dislocation densities of OFC samples with compressive plastic strains of 1 % and 4 % were 5.1×1014 m-2 and 9.2×1014 m-2, respectively.

A relationship between dislocation density and macro strain was investigated for GLIDCOP, dispersion-strengthened copper with ultra-fine particles of aluminum oxide. The dislocation density was estimated by applying the Warren-Averbach method to a diffraction profile measured using synchrotron radiation.

MUC5AC mucin overproduction is a key feature of asthma as contributes to airway obstruction. The production of MUC5AC is regulated in part by signals from extracellular matrix via integrin pathways, but it remains largely unclear. We investigated the role of Akt, a typical signal transducer in the integrin pathway, in the regulation of MUC5AC production. When NCI-H292 human airway epithelial cells were cultured on laminin or Matrigel, we found that the activity of Akt was suppressed, as compared to control cells with upregulated MUC5AC production. In contrast, Akt was activated in cells cultured on type IV collagen with downregulated MUC5AC production. The Akt inhibitor induced upregulation of MUC5AC. In contrast, overexpression of active Akt induced downregulation of MUC5AC production. These results suggest that a signal from laminin or Matrigel induces upregulation of MUC5AC by suppressing Akt activity, whereas a signal from type IV collagen induces downregulation of MUC5AC, mediated by Akt activation.

The design and performance of a new soft X-ray beamline BL07LSU at SPring-8 are described. The combination of a novel segmented cross undulator and beamline monochromator has achieved high energy resolution (E/ΔE > 10000) and high photon flux [>1012 photons s−1 (0.01% bandwidth)−1] in the photon energy range 250–2000 eV with fully controllable polarization., A new soft X-ray beamline, BL07LSU, has been constructed at SPring-8 to perform advanced soft X-ray spectroscopy for materials science. The beamline is designed to achieve high energy resolution (E/ΔE> 10000) and high photon flux [>1012 photons s−1 (0.01% bandwidth)−1] in the photon energy range 250–2000 eV with controllable polarization. To realise this state-of-the-art performance, a novel segmented cross undulator was developed and adopted as a light source. The details of the undulator light source and beamline monochromator design are described. The achieved performance of the beamline, such as the photon flux, energy resolution and the state of polarization, is reported.

Residual strain in oxygen-free copper, one of the materials used in high-heat-load components at SPring-8 front end, was investigated. A strain scanning method with oscillation was employed for strain measurement. The results were compared with those obtained using an elasto-plastic creep FEM analysis.

The BL28XU beamline, dedicated to rechargeable battery analysis, is described., The newly installed BL28XU beamline at SPring-8 is dedicated to in situ structural and electronic analysis of rechargeable batteries. It supports the time range (1 ms to 100 s) and spatial range (1 µm to 1 mm) needed for battery analysis. Electrochemical apparatus for battery charging and discharging are available in experimental hutches and in a preparation room. Battery analysis can be carried out efficiently and effectively using X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption fine-structure analysis and hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Here, the design and performance of the beamline are described, and preliminary results are presented.

We investigated the plastic strain of GlidCopTM, copper that is dispersion strengthened with aluminum oxide, by X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation. The purpose of this study is to verify the accuracy of the elastic-plastic analysis, which has been employed to predict the fatigue life of GlidCop. As a result, the plastic strain was estimated to be 0.7- 1.3% at any number of cycles, which is slightly smaller than the analytic solutions.

This paper discusses two issues relating to using 3 small gap insertion devices in series at BL43LXU of SPring-8 to make a uniquely powerful source in the 15-26 keV region of the x-ray spectrum. The issues discussed are (1) damage to the covers of the downstream IDs by radiation from the upstream IDs and (2) proper steering of the electron beam to get the best photon beam properties. After tests in several configurations, including one where an ID was run without an impedance-reducing cover, the damage issue was solved by installing a distributed absorber in the most downstream ID. The steering issues were mostly resolved by the introduction of appropriate corrector magnets and feedback. The paper is written from the viewpoint of an interested beamline scientist impressed with the cooperation of different groups to make a source for new science possible.

Substantial upgrades have been made to the beamline BL25SU at SPring-8 for soft X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of solid-state materials. The upgraded beamline consists of two branches: a micro-beam branch with high energy resolution, and a nano-beam branch with small angular divergence. The beamline has been available for use since October 2014, following a half year commissioning period. We present here the beamline performance parameters, including resolving power, photon flux, and focused beam size, which are consistent with designed specifications.

The new experimental system has been launched by coupling with the measurement techniques, which are grazing incidence small/wide-angle X-ray Scattering (GISWAXS) and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD), as well as X-ray reflectivity (XR), at the BL03XU of SPring-8. Using this integrated system, we can achieve to measure the hierarchical structure of the same sample.

Researchers report sub-angstrom fundamental-wavelength lasing at the SPring-8 Angstrom Compact Free-Electron Laser in Japan. The output has a maximum power of more than 10 GW, a pulse duration of 10−14 s and a lasing wavelength of 0.634 A.

A new beamline called the frontier soft-material beamline at BL03XU for soft materials was recently installed at SPring-8, using an in-vacuum undulator. The photon flux can reach 1013 photons sec−1 and the energy resolution is about 10−4 at an energy of 12.4 keV. The present paper introduces details on the instrumental and some of the first scattering data measured at BL03XU, revealing its cutting-edge design and high performance.

We measured internal residual strain of GlidCopTM, a copper dispersion strengthened with aluminum oxide. The residual strains were measured by X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation. The purpose of this study is to verify the accuracy of an elastic-plastic analysis, which has been employed for the fatigue life prediction of GlidCop. As a result, the residual strain was estimated to be 0.11- 0.13% at any number of cycles, which is in good agreement with the analysis solutions. As to the plastic strain, we need to increase the accuracy of the calibration curve for the relationship between the FWHM of the diffraction profile and the plastic strain.

Single-pass free-electron lasers based on self-amplified spontaneous emission1,2,3,4 are enabling the generation of laser light at ever shorter wavelengths, including extreme ultraviolet5, soft X-rays and even hard X-rays6,7,8. A typical X-ray free-electron laser is a few kilometres in length and requires an electron-beam energy higher than 10 GeV (refs 6, 8). If such light sources are to become accessible to more researchers, a significant reduction in scale is desirable Here, we report observations of brilliant extreme-ultraviolet radiation from a 55-m-long compact self-amplified spontaneous-emission source, which combines short-period undulators with a high-quality electron source operating at a low acceleration energy of 250 MeV. The radiation power reaches saturation at wavelengths ranging from 51 to 61 nm with a maximum pulse energy of 30 µJ. The ultralow emittance (0.6π mm mrad) of the electron beam from a CeB6 thermionic cathode9 is barely degraded by a multiple-stage bunch compression system that dramatically enhances the beam current from 1 to 300 A. This achievement expands the potential for generating X-ray free-electron laser radiation with a compact 2-GeV machine. Free-electron lasers can produce powerful pulses of radiation at very short wavelengths, even in the hard-X-ray region. In general, however, they comprise facilities several kilometres in length. A 55-m-long laser could open up the technology to a broader range of researchers.

A procedure to predict the fatigue fracture life of high-heat-load components made of GlidCop has been successfully established. This method is based upon the Manson-Coffin equation with a cumulative linear damage law. This prediction was achieved by consolidating the results of experiments and analyses, and considered the effects of environment and creep. A low-cycle-fatigue test for GlidCop was conducted so that environment-dependent Delta(t)-N(f) diagrams for any temperature could be prepared. A special test piece was designed to concentrate the strain in a central area locally, resulting in the low-cycle-fatigue fracture. The experiments were carried out by repeatedly irradiating a test piece with an electron beam. The results of the experiment confirmed that the observed fatigue life was within a factor of two when compared with the predicted fatigue life, yet located on the safer side.

The thermal contact conductance (TCC) of a real front-end component at SPring-8 has been quantitatively estimated by comparing the results of experiments with those of finite-element analyses. In this paper one of the methods of predicting the TCC of a real instrument is presented. A metal filter assembly, which is an indirect-cooling instrument, was selected for the estimation of the TCC. The temperature of the metal filter assembly for the maximum heat load of synchrotron radiation was calculated from the TCC that is expected under normal conditions. This study contributes towards the ongoing research program being conducted to investigate the real thermal limitation of all front-end high-heat-load components.

We report the design and current status of a soft X-ray beamline BL07LSU with a 27-m-long undulator at SPring-8. The long undulator consists of eight figure-8 undulator segments, and generates circularly and linearly polarized soft X-rays. This beamline covers a wide energy range (250–2000 eV) with both high energy resolution and high photon flux. Commissioning of this beamline was started with only four undulator segments since October 2009. The resolving power was evaluated to be 10,000 at 401 eV by total-ion yield X-ray absorption spectra of N2.

The beamline BL43IR at SPring-8 has been constructed as a beamline exclusively dedicated to the infrared spectroscopy. The beamline was designed to make use of infrared synchrotron radiation emitted from a bending magnet of 39.3 m bending radius with the acceptance angle of 36.5( H )×12.6( V ) mrad 2 and to cover a very wide wavelength range from 500 nm (20,000 cm −1 , 2.5 eV) to 100 μm (100 cm −1 , 12.5 meV). A Fourier transform interferometer and four experimental stations were installed to utilize the infrared synchrotron radiation at SPring-8.

The beamline for the very long in-vacuum X-ray undulator is under construction in BL19LXU at SPring-8. The front end for the BL19LXU will be subjected to a total power of 33 kW with a power density of 1.92 kW/mm 2 at the entrance of the front end. To handle such an intensive heat load within the restricted space, a new configuration for high heat load components has been introduced. The basic design concept is to deal with most of the power upstream of the absorber used to block the X-ray beam for user entry into the optics hutch. A series of four masks, two fixed and two movable, was newly designed. The movable masks, one having an aperture of 1.5 mm in the horizontal and the other an aperture of 1.5 mm in the vertical, will handle about 20 kW of power within the total region of about 3 m.

A new beam profile monitoring system for the small X-ray beam exiting from the SPring-8 front-end was developed and tested at BL13XU. This system is intended as a screen monitor and also as a position monitor even at beam currents of 100 mA by using photoluminescence of a chemical vapor deposition-grown diamond film. To cope with the challenge that the spatial distribution of the photoluminescence in the vertical direction is too flat to detect the beam centroid within a limited narrow aperture, a filter was installed that absorbs the fundamental harmonic concentrated in the beam center, which resulted in "de-flattening" of the vertical distribution. For the measurement, the filter crossed the photon beam vertically at high speed to withstand the intense heat flux of the undulator pink-beam. A transient thermal analysis, which can simulate the movement of the irradiation position with time, was conducted to determine the appropriate configuration and the required moving speed of the filter to avoid accidental melting. In a demonstration experiment, the vertically separated beam profile could be successfully observed for a 0.8 × 0.8 mm(2) beam shaped by an XY slit and with a fundamental energy of 18.48 keV. The vertical beam centroid could be detected with a resolution of less than 0.1 mm.

A tapered undulator beamline BL36XU was constructed at SPring-8 to conduct structural and electronic analysis of dynamic events on polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) cathode catalysts for the development of next-generation PEFCs. BL36XU provides various time and spatially resolved XAFS techniques in an energy range from 4.5 to 35 keV for investigating PEFCs under the operating conditions. In addition, we developed in-situ complementary measurement systems, such as in-situ time-resolved XAFS/XRD and ambient pressure HAXPES systems. This report describes the performance and present status of the BL36XU.

By using the strain-range partitioning method, the fatigue life of high-heat-load components made of oxygen-free copper have been successfully predicted within a factor of two., Following a successful study on the prediction of fatigue life of high-heat-load components made of Glidcop, the thermal limitation of oxygen-free copper (OFC), which is used more commonly than Glidcop, has been studied. In addition to its general mechanical properties, the low-cycle-fatigue (LCF) and creep properties of OFC were investigated in detail and compared with those of Glidcop. The breaking mode of OFC, which was observed to be completely different from that of Glidcop in a fatigue fracture experiment, clarified the importance of considering the creep–fatigue interaction. An additional LCF test with compressive strain holding was conducted so that the creep–fatigue life diagram for out-of-phase thermal fatigue could be obtained on the basis of the strain-range partitioning method. The life predicted from elasto-plastic creep analysis agreed well with that determined from the void ratio estimated in the fatigue fracture experiment.

The commissioning studies and an application to a uranium compound with the helicity-switching mode of a new twin-helical undulator installed in soft X-ray beamline BL23SU at SPring-8 are described., The soft X-ray beamline BL23SU at SPring-8 has undergone an upgrade with a twin-helical undulator of in-vacuum type to enhance the experimental capabilities of the endstations. The new light source with a fast helicity-switching operation allows not only the data throughput but also the sensitivity in X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) to be improved. The operational performance and potential are described by presenting XMCD results of paramagnetic β-US2 measured with a 10 T superconducting magnet.

New physical-vapor-deposited (PVD) beryllium foils were characterized using coherent x-rays at the 1-km-long beamline in the SPring-8. Non-uniformity in the 150 μmx150 μm area is 3% (rms) for 0.1-nm x-rays and 5% for 0.15-nm x-rays which are almost similar value to that of previous PVD foils. The PVD beryllium foil has a capability for synchrotron radiation and x-ray free electron laser applications with spatially coherent x-rays.

A new protein micro‐crystallography beamline BL32XU at SPring‐8 is under construction and scheduled to start operation in 2010. The beamline is designed to provide the stabilized and brilliant micro‐beam to collect high‐quality data from micro‐crystals. The beamline consists of a hybrid in‐vacuum undulator, a liquid‐nitrogen cooled double crystal monochromator, and K‐B focusing mirrors with large magnification factor. Development of data acquisition system and end station consists of high‐precision diffractometer, high‐efficiency area detector, sample auto‐changer etc. are also in progress.

We achieved stable operation of a free-electron laser (FEL) based on the self-amplified spontaneous-emission (SASE) scheme at the SPring-8 Compact SASE Source (SCSS) test accelerator in the extremely ultraviolet region. Saturation of the SASE FEL power has been achieved at wavelengths ranging from 50 to 60 nm. The pulse energy has reached $\ensuremath{\sim}30\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{J}$ at 60 nm. The observed fluctuation of the pulse energy is about 10% (standard deviation) for several hours, which agrees with the expectation from the SASE theory showing the stable operation of the accelerator. The SASE FEL has been routinely operated to provide photon beams for user experiments over a period of a few weeks. Analysis on the experimental data gave the normalized-slice emittance at the lasing part is around $0.7\ensuremath{\pi}\text{ }\mathrm{mm}\text{ }\mathrm{mrad}$. This result indicates that the normalized-slice emittance of the initial electron beam, $0.6\ensuremath{\pi}\text{ }\mathrm{mm}\text{ }\mathrm{mrad}$ in a 90% core part, is kept almost unchanged after the bunch compression process with a compression factor of approximately 300. The success of the SCSS test accelerator strongly encourages the realization of a compact XFEL source.

We characterized beryllium foils and CVD diamond films/plates for synchrotron radiation beamline windows and x-ray beam monitor especially in coherent x-ray applications. Sub-micron-resolution imaging with a zooming tube was performed using spatially coherent x-rays at 1-km beamline 29XU of SPring-8. We found that the speckles observed in the conventional powder and ingot beryllium foils were due to voids with diameter of several to ten-several microns. The physical vapor deposition (PVD) eliminated the voids and the PVD beryllium showed the best performance with no speckles. We characterized a commercially available polycrystalline CVD diamond window and CVD films as well as beryllium foils. Polished thin diamond film showed rather uniform transmission image. We found dark spots at in-line image due to Bragg diffraction from grains for thicker CVD diamond window.

Direct cooling is adopted for most high heat load components in SPring-8 beamlines. On the other hand, contact cooling is employed for some components such as a graphite filter, aluminum filter, mirror, and cryogenic monochromator silicon crystal. For the thermal design of the contact cooling components, it is important to obtain reliable thermal contact conductance value. The conductance depends on many parameters such as the surface materials, surface roughness, flatness of the surface, interstitial materials, temperature of the contact surface, and contact pressure. An experimental setup is fablicated to measure the conductance at liquid nitrogen temperature and room temperature. The thermal contact conductance of a Si-Cu interface and that of a Si-In-Cu interface are measured at cryogenic temperature at contact pressures ranging from 0.1-1.1 MPa. The conductance of an Al-Cu interface and that of a graphite-Cu interface are measured using gold and silver foils as interstitial materials. The measurements are performed at room temperature and at pressures ranging from 0.5-4 MPa. The experimental setup and the results obtained are presented.

X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) is being constructed at the SPring-8 site by RIKEN and JASRI. The basic configuration of the XFEL beamline is similar to the design of a standard x-ray undulator beamline. Qualities of the optical components such as a diamond crystals, a beryllium window, and a mirror have been improved for XFEL applications. From the doses evaluation of the optical components and the availability, the guideline for the detailed design is presented.

The thermal contact conductance (TCC) of a real front‐end component at SPring‐8 was estimated quantitatively by comparing the results of the experiments and those of the finite element analyses. This study contributes to the ongoing program to inquire into the real thermal resistance including the life of all front‐end high‐heat‐load components.

We have developed a frontend pulse‐by‐pulse synchrotron radiation (SR) beam monitor with microstripline structure, which is operated in photoemission mode. This monitor is composed of a detector head with a microstripline having the band‐width of several GHz, an electrode for applying high voltage and a mask. This monitor can be used for monitoring not only the pulse‐by‐pulse photon beam position, but also the SR pulse intensity and the pulse timing. Beam tests of this monitor have been carried out and feasibilities have been demonstrated.

Radio frequency (RF) properties of coaxial feed‐through connectors that are designed for a frontend pulse‐by‐pulse synchrotron radiation (SR) beam monitor are described in this paper. We have designed and fabricated a small detector head operated in photoemission mode. This detector is directory connected to a SMA feed‐through connector to have fast response time. Using this detector we successfully observed an isolated pulse of monochromatic beam. In order to improve RF properties of this detector, we have carried out simulation study and measurements of newly designed prototypes.

Beryllium windows were characterized using coherent x‐rays at the one‐kilometer beamline of SPring‐8. Non‐uniformity of transmission x‐ray images is largely due to Fresnel diffraction from deficiencies such as surface pits with diameter of order of one micron to ten microns, having no correlation with averaged surface roughness measured with an optical profilometer.

A medium‐length beamline with undulator source, BL20XU at SPring‐8, was constructed, and opened to public use. The distance from source point to the end of the beamline is 248 m. By utilizing the long beam transport path, the beamline has advantages for experiment that requires high spatial coherence in hard X‐ray regions.

We review the alignment of front‐end components at SPring‐8. The front end is the part of a photon beamline, which is located between the photon beam port of the storage ring and the beryllium (Be) window assembly. The photon beam from a light source is guided to the optics hutch through the front end. We have constructed 43 front ends with the following design concepts; (1) use of a single common base (a pair of parallel I‐beams), (2) employment of standardizing approach, and (3) independent units of pumping system. The alignment work has been performed in the procedure of inspecting the datum points on the floor, installation of the common base, and installation and alignment of components on the common base. This work has been successfully carried out with sufficient results. The alignment error of I‐beams is about 50 micron in standard deviation. The components return to their original positions even if some displacements occur during baking procedures. We have had no serious troubles about the alignment works.

Trace element analysis beamline (BL37XU) at SPring‐8 was designed for application to various X‐ray fluorescence analyses such as XRF imaging, XAFS, TXRF and XRF holography. The beamline has of two branches, one being a SPring‐8 standard undulator‐beamline optics branch (Branch A) and the other a high‐energy branch (Branch B). In the experimental hutches, several kinds of experimental device are equipped. The end‐stations have been opened to public use since November 2002, and various experiments have been carried out.

A front‐end combination component of fixed mask and absorber is a device that combines a fixed mask and a photon absorber in one body to save space, setup work and maintenance in the photon beamline front‐end. The SPring‐8 undulator absorber consists of an upper V‐shaped photon absorber part and a lower rectangular beam‐transfer channel part. The upper wall of the beam‐transfer channel is cut in the V‐shape notch as the photon absorber. The combination component design based on the absorber is adopted. The photon duct part is modified in the shape of the fixed mask. The combination component moves up and down. In the upper limit, it acts as the mask and the beam‐transfer channel. In the lower limit, it acts as the photon absorber. Design details of the component and its commissioning are presented.