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Updated: May 31, 2026

Synchrotron X-ray Microdiffraction and Fluorescence Imaging of Mineral and Rock Samples
Published on: June 19, 2018
Advancing beam shaping from visible light to X-rays for synchrotron applications.
Hossein Khosroabadi1, Pierpaolo Romano2, Lucia Alianelli2
1Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxford, OX11 0DE, UK. Hossein.Khosroabadi@diamond.ac.uk.
Researchers developed a new X-ray beam shaping method using undulator radiation and compound refractive lenses (CRLs). This technique creates a tunable, top-hat focal spot, enhancing synchrotron applications like macromolecular crystallography.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Materials Science
- Optics
Background:
- Laser beam shaping is advanced, but X-ray beam shaping faces challenges due to optics limitations and synchrotron source constraints.
- Extending advanced beam shaping to high-brightness X-ray sources could revolutionize synchrotron applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel method for flexible X-ray beam shaping.
- To achieve a variable circular focal spot with a top-hat intensity profile for synchrotron applications.
Main Methods:
- Exploiting the monochromatic angular spectrum of undulator radiation.
- Utilizing compound refractive lenses (CRLs).
- Fine-tuning undulator gap and monochromator settings for dynamic control.
Main Results:
- Successfully produced a variable circular focal spot with a top-hat intensity profile.
- Demonstrated dynamic control of the spatial beam profile.
- Preserved continuous energy tunability.
- Validated the method on a macromolecular crystallography beamline at Diamond Light Source (DLS).
Conclusions:
- The novel method offers flexible X-ray beam shaping without complex new optical designs.
- The technique is practical, adaptable, and has potential for widespread adoption in synchrotron research.
- Enhances capabilities for macromolecular crystallography, spectroscopy, and high-resolution imaging.
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