WG1.2 Optics & Beamline Instrumentation

Mission of WG 1.2:

• Develop new and improved instrumentation for beamlines at Synchrotron light – and Free Electron Laser sources throughout Europe.
• Strengthen the capabilities in photon science at large scale facilities for improved scientific and industrial outputs.
• Novel developments in X-ray optics and enhanced methods and instrumentation to measure and improve optical quality.
• Work in collaboration with other LEAPS working groups to identify overlapping ambitions and shared goals.

 

Key recent achievements in advanced optics (via the LEAPS-INNOV project):

• “NeXtgrating”: next-generation diffraction gratings

– Developed a new electron-beam lithography technology to write blazed gratings of fixed or variable line density on single-crystal silicon substrates up to 140 mm in length. This approach has high potential for new developments in diffractive optical elements.

• “Super Flat”: ultra-precise optics

– Advanced European ultra-precise metrology and finishing capabilities to significantly improve the performance and availability of large, high-performance flat optics.

• Industrial Synergy:

– Both projects were successfully executed in close cooperation with European industrial partners.

 

Several projects are currently being planned or undertaken by WG1.2, including:

• “REMINISCE” (LEAPS INFRA-TECH project): refurbishment of X-ray optics
• Availability of the highest-grade X-ray optics is limited by manufacturing time and cost.
• RMINISCE will provide a higher resilience for beamline optics by systematically identifying methods to refurbish contaminated optics and reduce their rate of damage.
• Develop and share best practice guidelines for cleaning and refurbishing different types of optics.
• Close co-operation to learn from European industry and related fields, including nanotechnology.

Future work will concentrate on the development of improved fixed-curvature or actively bent optics to reduce wavefront errors and contribute to the development of a “Fully Automated Beamline.”