Development of a Fast Sample-exchange System for Fixed Target Single-shot Imaging at PAL-XFEL

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a fast exchange system to exchange thin membrane containing samples for single-shot experiments using micron focusing X-ray pulses at Pohang Accelerator Laboratory X-ray free electron laser (PAL-XFEL). The mechanism uses a compact gripper that can remove used samples and mount new ones in a vacuum chamber. The lead time of sample exchange is reduced more than half and increases data-collection time during limited beamtime. We believe that this