Ultrafast time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering setup on the FemtoMAX beamline

Area of Science:

• Condensed matter physics
• Materials science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Ultrafast phenomena in materials require advanced characterization techniques.
• Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is sensitive to nanoscale structural changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the ultrafast time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering (TR-SAXS) setup at the FemtoMAX beamline.
• To demonstrate its capability in studying laser-induced dynamics in nanomaterials.

Main Methods:

• Commissioning of the TR-SAXS setup at the FemtoMAX beamline.
• Utilizing a femtosecond laser pump and X-ray probe technique.
• Investigating solid gold nanospheres in a quartz capillary using transmission geometry.

Main Results:

• Successful implementation of TR-SAXS for studying ultrafast dynamics.
• Observation of picosecond thermal expansion dynamics in laser-excited gold nanostructures.
• Demonstration of the FemtoMAX beamline's potential for condensed matter research.

Conclusions:

• The TR-SAXS setup on the FemtoMAX beamline is a powerful tool for probing ultrafast structural dynamics.
• This technique complements existing diffraction methods, enabling new investigations into light-induced phenomena in solid-state materials.