OVERVIEW
The XAFS1 beamline is an experimental station dedicated to X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy in the hard x-rays energy range (4 to 23 keV). This beamline is used in the study of the atomic-level structure as well as in the electronic and magnetic properties of matter, finding applications in a wide range of scientific fields, such as materials science and solid state physics, chemistry, earth sciences and biology. Available techniques include high-edge resolution (XANES) and fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS).
The XAFS1 is a 1.67T bending magnet beamline open to users since July 1997. At the second semester of 2016, this beamline was closed for external users and is conditionally available through Fast Track operation and since then XAS spectra can be collected only in transmission mode.
For usual transmission-mode experiments, three chambers are used. The first one is coupled to the beamline, the second is used for detecting the signal after the sample, and the third is used for measuring a reference sample or doubling the data set. Some sample environments as cryostats, and inert gas chambers are available to users at the XAFS1 beamline.
The experimental station is equipped with a granite table, supporting a 1.60 m long rail aligned to the beam direction on which are mounted an XY remote-controlled sample holder, the detectors, and experimental facilities. The granite table can withstand a maximum weight of 300 kg, and track the vertical position of the beam with an accuracy of 1 mm over a 120 mm stroke. In order to keep the beam spot at the same position on the sample, this track is performed automatically during an energy scan, in fact, the changes in beam offset are important only for rather low energies for most applications, i.e. above 8 keV, the tracking is blocked.