Developments in sample environment for a scanning transmission X-ray microscope at UVSOR-III synchrotron

Abstract

The beamline, BL4U, in UVSOR-III Synchrotron is dedicated to scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) based on 2-dimensional soft X-ray absorption and has been in operation since 2013, to enable both academic and industrial users to carry out advanced chemical analysis under various sample environments. In this paper, we have summarized our major developments for the last decade; especially, expansion of the photon energy range down to the Li K-edge (55 eV), sample cryo-cooling to reduce radiation damage, 3-dimensional computer tomography, and air-free sample transfer.