As of January 31, 2010

for international journal X-Ray Spectrometry (John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

MD simulation aids the analysis of local dynamics by EXAFS (January 22, 2010)

Extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) is a powerful tool for the analysis of atomic-scale structure around specific atoms.  In addition to the determination of the atomic distance for the nearest neighboring atoms, it can give some information on the local dynamical properties of crystals.  Recently, Dr. A. Sanson (Universita degli Studi di Verona, Italy) has published the results of the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in the case of crystalline germanium.  By comparing experimental EXAFS data, he could discuss the radial distribution functions of the first six coordination shells, as well as their parallel and perpendicular mean-square relative displacements as a function of temperature.  For more information, see the paper, "Local dynamical properties of crystalline germanium and their effects in extended x-ray absorption fine structure", A. Sanson, Phys. Rev. B81, 012304 (2010).

Micro XRF analysis of industrial waste (January 21, 2010)

Professor M. A. Castro (Instituto de Ciencia de los Materiales de Sevilla, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, Spain) and his colleagues are proposing to employ micro X-ray fluorescence as a feasible and efficient solution to classify waste and also to survey the problems in the production process.  For more information, see the paper, "Application of micro-X-ray fluorescence analysis for the characterization of industrial wastes", M. D. Alba et al., Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Article ASAP (DOI: 10.1021/ie901716w).

Kβ satellites in EPMA (January 19, 2010)

Argentinian scientists have recently published a paper on the emission of X-rays in the Kβ region of Mg, Al, Si, Sc, Ti, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Zn induced by electron bombardment.  The research includes the Kβ^III and Kβ^IV spectator hole transitions, the 1s→3s quadrupole decay, the Kβ₂ and Kβ₅ diagram transitions, the structures related to radiative Auger processes, and the Kβ' and Kβ" lines.  For more information, see the paper, "Kβ satellite and forbidden transitions in elements with 12<Z<30 induced by electron impact", S. P. Limandri et al., Phys. Rev. A81, 012504 (2010).
 

Diamond as a promising candidate for normal-incidence X-ray optics (January 17, 2010)

So far, it has been understood that the only way to realize hard-X-ray mirrors with near 100% reflectivity is the use of total external reflection at grazing incidence to a surface.  Dr. Y. V. Shvyd’ko (Argonne National Lab, USA) and his colleagues have recently proposed to use Bragg reflections from synthetic diamond crystal.  They discussed how it shows an unprecedented reflecting power at normal incidence with meV order narrow bandwidths for hard X-rays.  The optics might be a good candidate for X-ray free-electron laser oscillators (X-FELO).  For more information, see the paper, "High-reflectivity high-resolution X-ray crystal optics with diamonds", Y. V. Shvyd’ko et al., Nature Physics, doi:10.1038/nphys1506; published online, 17 January 2010.
 

Possibility of downsizing X-ray free electron laser (January 12, 2010)

Laser sources in the hard X-ray region have already become a reality at some free electron laser (FEL) facilities.  However, typical hard X-ray FELs use an accelerator that is several km long to generate a ~10 GeV electron beam with ~kA peak current to drive the FEL.  Dr. D. Xiang (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, USA) is proposing an alternative technique to generate an electron beam.  He discusses the possibility of downsizing an X-ray FEL by this method.  In his calculation, a 1.5 Å X-ray FEL with a saturation length within 30 m using a 3.8 GeV electron beam could be feasible.  For more information, see the paper, "Laser assisted emittance exchange: Downsizing the x-ray free electron laser", D. Xiang, Phys. Rev. ST Accel. Beams 13, 010701 (2010).
 

Resonant X-ray scattering with microbeam to explore liquid crystal (January 12, 2010)

A research group led by Professors Y. Takanishi (Kyoto University, Japan) and A. Iida (Photon Factory, KEK, Japan) has recently published its successful investigation into the local layer structure of bent-core liquid crystal, 4-Br-14-O-PIMB, which includes Br atoms.  The group employed a monochromatic X-ray microbeam (3 μm × 4 μm), and observed X-ray scattering from the cell near the Br K absorption edge.  They were able to discover some satellite peaks reflecting the superlattices.  For more information, see the paper, "Microbeam resonant x-ray scattering from bromine-substituted bent-core liquid crystals", Y. Takanishi et al., Phys. Rev. E81, 011701 (2010).
 

X-ray studies on dynamics of micro phase separation in a block copolymer melt (January 7, 2010)

X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS) is a novel technique which reveals the slow dynamics of equilibrium and non-equilibrium processes in condensed matter systems.  A group led by Professor N. P. Balsara (University of California, Berkeley, USA) has recently published research on a polystyrene-polyisoprene block copolymer melt in the vicinity of the order-disorder transition.  The group combined several techniques in addition to XPCS; time-resolved small angle X-ray scattering and rheology.  During their studies of ordering kinetics, it was found that two qualitatively different regimes exist, i.e., shallow and deep quench regimes, respectively.  For more information, see the paper, "Dynamic signatures of microphase separation in a block copolymer melt determined by X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy and rheology", A. J. Patel et al., Macromolecules, Article ASAP (DOI: 10.1021/ma902343m).
 

Ultimate hard X-ray focusing (November 22, 2009)

For many years, substantial effort has been devoted to developing a good mirror for preparing a small X-ray beam.  Professor K. Yamauchi (Osaka University, Japan) and his colleagues have recently reported the breaking of the 10 nm barrier for hard X-rays.  They employed a combination of two mirrors; the surface of the first mirror is deformable, in order to compensate for figure error of the second mirror.  By such an adaptive optical system, the research group attained a beam size of 7 nm at 20 keV.  The experiments were done at BL29XUL, SPring-8.  For more information, see the papers, "Breaking the 10 nm barrier in hard-X-ray focusing", H. Mimura et al., Nature Physics doi:10.1038/nphys1457; published online: 22 November 2009; corrected online: 2 December 2009.
 

Picoliter droplets as reference samples for quantitative micro X-ray fluorescence (November 25, 2009)

Dr. G. J. Havrilla (Los Alamos National Lab., USA; one of the associate editors of X-Ray Spectrometry journal) and his colleague recently published a very interesting report on the analysis of picoliter droplets, which can be now accurately prepared using Hewlett-Packard’s extremely sophisticated technology.  The research targets application to analytical science, although the instrument is basically designed for inkjet printing and other similar purposes.  It has been shown that dried deposits of single and multielemental solutions generated in picoliter volumes are able to be used as references for micro X-ray fluorescence.  Evaporation can have a strong influence on extremely small amounts at the picoliter level, but the research group successfully devised the optimal instrumental conditions by monitoring X-ray fluorescence intensity.   For more information, see the paper, "Picoliter droplet deposition using a prototype picoliter pipette: Control parameters and application in micro X-ray fluorescence", U. E. A. Fittschen et al., Anal. Chem., 82, 297 (2010).
 

Mars Rover Spirit loses battle to escape from sand trap (January 26, 2010)

Since 2004, NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers Opportunity and Spirit have continued to transmit a wealth of exciting images and extremely valuable analytical data on the surface of Mars, including several pieces of evidence pointing to the existence of water in sedimentary rock.  Unfortunately, Spirit recently got stuck in a sand trap, from which it was helpless to extricate itself because two of its six wheels are not working any more.  Scientists hope that, even in its marooned state, Spirit will be able to measure Martian gravity to determine if the planet is solid or liquid at its core.  For further information, visit the Web page, http://www.nasa.gov/rovers
 

X-rays named top innovation by Science Museum London (November 4, 2009)

The UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has announced its withdrawal from the European XFEL project.  Due to financial restrictions, the Council had to reprioritise its budget of ca. 2.7 billion Euro over the next five years.  For more information, visit the UK’s science programme prioritisation 2010-2015 web page,
http://www.scitech.ac.uk/About/Stats/Rev/intro.aspx
 

HSEASY Ver.2 - SII’s new database tool for XRF spectra (December 16, 2009)

SII Nano Technology has released the HSEASY Ver.2, which provides an advanced software environment for a huge database of XRF spectra.  For further information, visit the web page, http://www.siint.com/en/

 

Horiba’s CEO awarded French national order (January 26, 2010)

Mr. Atsushi Horiba, Chairman, CEO and President of Horiba Ltd., was recently awarded the Ordre National de la Legion d'honneur, which is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte as First Consul of the First Republic in 1802.  For further information, visit the web page, http://www.horiba.com/us/en/  For further details of the Ordre National de la Legion d'honneur, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9gion_d'honneur
 

Thermo Fisher acquires Ahura Scientific (January 19, 2010)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ahura Scientific, which is known for its field-deployed analytical instruments for human health and public safety.  For further information, visit the web page, http://www.thermofisher.com/global/en/home.asp
 

Hamamatsu’s new building at Toyooka site (January 7, 2010)

Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. has completed the construction of a new building at the main site of its electron tube division in Toyooka, Shizuoka, Japan, in order to expand its scintillator plate and light source business.  For further information, visit the web page, http://jp.hamamatsu.com/en/index.html

 

SpectroscopyNow.com

For additional news about X-ray analysis and other spectroscopy sciences, browse the Wiley website.

Kenji Sakurai
Director, X-Ray Physics Group, National Institute for
Materials Science (NIMS)
and Professor, Doctoral Program in Materials Science and
Engineering, Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences,
 University of Tsukuba
1-2-1, Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047 Japan
Phone : +81-29-859-2821, Fax : +81-29-859-2801
sakurai@yuhgiri.nims.go.jp
http://www.nims.go.jp/xray/lab/