High resolution VUV spectroscopic facility at the SURF II electron storage ring

Area of Science:

• Atomic and Molecular Sciences
• Spectroscopy
• Synchrotron Radiation Applications

Background:

• Existing spectroscopic methods often lack the required resolution and stable light sources for advanced atomic and molecular research.
• There is a need for a national facility combining high spectral resolution with a calibrated vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) continuum light source.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the design and capabilities of a new high-resolution spectroscopic facility.
• To provide a national resource for atomic and molecular science research.
• To enable experiments requiring high spectral resolution and a stable VUV light source.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes a 6.65-m off-plane Eagle spectrometer with blazed 4800-groove/mm gratings for high resolution (exceeding 10^5).
• Employs synchrotron radiation from an electron storage ring as a stable, calibrated VUV continuum light source.
• Incorporates specialized fore-optics for enhanced VUV polarization and differential pumping stages for high gas load experiments.

Main Results:

• Achieves linear dispersions of 0.3 Å/mm in first order, enabling detailed spectral analysis.
• Provides highly polarized VUV radiation parallel to the storage ring plane.
• Establishes three distinct experimental areas for versatile research applications.

Conclusions:

• The new facility offers unprecedented capabilities for high-resolution VUV spectroscopy.
• It serves as a crucial national resource for advancing atomic and molecular science research.
• The combination of advanced instrumentation and light source supports a wide range of current and future experiments.