Soft x-ray scattering facility at the Advanced Light Source with real-time data processing and analysis

TLDR

The beamline and endstation are designed for soft‑matter scattering near the carbon K‑edge, operating over a wide energy range. The study develops and characterizes a dedicated resonant soft x‑ray scattering facility. The instrument features a specialized design with polarization control, high‑harmonic rejection, low detector noise, and a user‑friendly software interface enabling real‑time data processing and preliminary analysis.

Abstract

We present the development and characterization of a dedicated resonant soft x-ray scattering facility. Capable of operation over a wide energy range, the beamline and endstation are primarily used for scattering from soft matter systems around the carbon K-edge (∼285 eV). We describe the specialized design of the instrument and characteristics of the beamline. Operational characteristics of immediate interest to users such as polarization control, degree of higher harmonic spectral contamination, and detector noise are delineated. Of special interest is the development of a higher harmonic rejection system that improves the spectral purity of the x-ray beam. Special software and a user-friendly interface have been implemented to allow real-time data processing and preliminary data analysis simultaneous with data acquisition.