Beamline K11 DIAD: a new instrument for dual imaging and diffraction at Diamond Light Source

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Advanced materials research requires techniques capable of probing both structural and compositional information.
• Simultaneous imaging and diffraction are crucial for understanding dynamic processes in materials under operating conditions.
• Existing synchrotron beamlines often require complex mode switching, limiting the efficiency of combined measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Dual Imaging and Diffraction (DIAD) beamline at Diamond Light Source.
• To enable quasi-simultaneous, spatially correlated imaging and micro-diffraction measurements.
• To facilitate in situ and in operando experiments with dynamic structural analysis.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes a novel dual-beam optical layout from a single source (7-38 keV).
• Performs full-field imaging/tomography (1.4 mm x 1.2 mm FOV, 1.2 µm resolution) and micro-diffraction (variable beam size).
• Features image-guided diffraction for scanning micro-diffraction across the imaging field-of-view.

Main Results:

• Achieves fast switching between imaging and diffraction modes.
• Enables real-time selection of regions of interest for diffraction.
• Allows simultaneous collection of imaging and diffraction data from the same specimen location.

Conclusions:

• The DIAD beamline provides a unique capability for combined structural and chemical analysis.
• It significantly enhances the study of dynamic, in situ, and in operando material phenomena.
• The instrument's design optimizes experimental efficiency for complex materials research.