Information for ID18F Users

This page is intended to provide information to assist in preparing a proposal for use of the ID18F end-station. Where information is lacking the beamline scientists are generally available to answer technical queries regarding experimental feasibility for potential users (Email ID18F).

Beamline Configuration

Information is given in the Description of the ID18F Beamline and the Description of the ID18F Microprobe Setup

Accessing the ID18F end-station

Beamtime is allocated to external users either via the standard ESRF peer-review programme (proposal rounds twice yearly in March and September) or through the industrial access programme.

Sample Preparation

Most samples which are studied at ID18F are relatively thin (typically less than 1mm). Lateral sample dimensions can vary greatly but generally do not exceed ~5x5cm. Many samples are placed on standard Huber Goniometer heads (http://www.xhuber.de/en/Products/accessoires/positioning/gonio_head_support/Manual/1001/1001.rsys) which permit rapid alignment. Other sample supports can be adapted to the sample alignment stages but you should consult us well before any scheduled experiment (at least 1month) to ensure the suitability of your final sample formats.

Sample Environments

Usually samples are studied in ambient conditions in air. The relatively long working distances of the microfocussing optics do however, permit the use of rather bulky specimen environments such as cryostats, furnaces, high pressure cells, wet cells, strain cells etc. Some sample environments maybe available for loan by the ESRF but specific specimen environments necessary for an experiment are usually the responsibility of the individual users. Please consult us at the proposal stage to determine the compatibility of your required sample environment with the X-ray microprobe station.

Detectors

The standard detectors available at the beamline are:

• Si(Li) detector for X-ray Fluorescence measurements
• High resolution 12 bit dynamic range CCD X-ray camera for alignment and radiography measurements.
• 16 bit tapered fibre optically coupled 16bit CCD X-ray camera for wide and small angle diffraction measurements.

Should they be necessary, other detectors may be available from the ESRF detector pool. Other specific detectors necessary for a user experiment are the user’s responsibility however in many cases it may be possible to integrate them to the end-station control system which may be necessary; for example, if the experiment requires any degree of synchronisation with the sample movements. Please consult us at the proposal stage if the success of your experiment depends on the use of a particular detector that is not listed above.