Beamline for Coherent Soft X-Ray Imaging and Diffraction (CSXID)

There is currently a global effort to understand and control the physical properties of functional and quantum materials, with the promise of next-generation low-cost, energy-efficient devices, and sustainable industrial processes. The CSXID beamline will be a key tool to facilitate this effort, providing a range of coherent diffraction imaging techniques to probe chemical and magnetic structure in both two- and three-dimensions. These imaging techniques will be combined with advanced in-situ and in-operando sample environments providing a new and unprecedented view into material nanostructure, nanoscale processes and interactions. 

The beamline will address fundamental scientific questions and will enable transformative research in a variety of key, topical, timely and active multidisciplinary science areas. This includes quantum and magnetic materials for information and communication technologies, along with batteries, energy materials and catalysts for a cleaner, energy efficient and sustainable future. 

Quantum and magnetic materials gain their macroscopic behaviour from the underlying nanoscale interactions at the length scales of quantum mechanical processes. For example, in ferroic materials, magnetic spins align to form macroscopic ordered domain structures and domain wall boundaries. Recent developments in the understanding of the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction, along with discoveries of new methods to manipulate it through multilayer growth have led to a recent surge in research into chiral and topologically rich magnetic materials. In these systems, spins order into spiral and twisted magnetic structures forming conical, skyrmion and other novel spin textures. Antiferromagnetic and synthetic antiferromagnetic systems exhibit anti-parallel spin orientations with little stray field making them immune to moderate magnetic field effects. Although once thought to be of little practical use, these materials are experiencing renewed interest due to demonstrations of the ability to manipulate the spin structure electronically. Multiferroic materials describe systems where interactions between the magnetic, electronic and elastic properties provide new mechanisms to manipulate both the micro and macroscopic state of the system. Topological insulators and superconductors show extraordinary macroscopic properties arising due to unique electronic properties at the atomic scale. 

One pillar of the scientific aims for the CSXID beamline is to provide insight into the microscopic behaviour of this wide array of quantum and magnetic material systems. With high resolution imaging in both two and three dimensions, the beamline will provide a unique view inside these materials systems. The X-ray Magnetic Circular and Linear Dichroism (XMCD and XMLD) techniques will be used to provide magnetic contrast to the high-resolution imaging, probing the vector orientation of the spin state of the system. The CSXID beamline is a timely development, which will complement developments in 3D nanostructure fabrication and lithographic techniques, allowing for detailed probing of these quantum interactions with geometrical and nanoscale structuring. 

Furthermore, a suite of sample environments including magnetic fields, cryogenic temperatures and connections for electrical biasing and pulsing will enable a wide range of behaviours, interactions and processes both in the quasi-static and high frequency dynamic range to be investigated and understood. This work is of significant fundamental scientific interest and is critical to the development of novel technologies for example secure low-energy data-storage and processing solutions. 

Another area of scientific focus for the CSXID beamline will be in the field of functional materials. These materials employ nanoscale structures and interface to manipulate chemical processes. Our understanding of these materials and our ability to perform engineering on the nanoscale is key to adapting to the evolving energy and chemical scenario and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. 

In recent years, research into electrochemical processes and battery materials has experienced a significant rise in activity due to a continuing demand from consumer electronic devices coupled with the transition towards adopting electric vehicle technology. However, significant challenges remain in our understanding of these systems and our ability to produce safe and economical battery systems fit for future demand. 

With an ambitious roadmap aiming to reduce costs, increase volumetric energy density and galvometric power density, significant advances in battery research are still required. One key problem in existing technologies is dendrite formation, where metal deposits degrade performance and can raise the risk of dangerous discharge events. Strategies to overcome this include making nanoscale changes to the structure of the electrodes. Here our understanding of the nanoscale structure and chemical processes occurring at the electrodes during operating conditions is essential. 

Catalytic science is also of huge importance in our aims to improve industrial processes and chemical synthesis in a move towards achieving a cleaner and more sustainable future. This is coupled with a global aim to find alternatives to rare earth and heavy metal active materials. Key research in this area is focussed on, for example, improvements in artificial photosynthesis and solar driven chemistry, catalysts for CO2 reduction, biomass transformation and hydrogen storage materials. Advanced design of novel nanoscale catalysts, nanoparticles and functional interfaces requires in-depth understanding of chemical processes from the molecular to material scale under realistic conditions. 

The CSXID beamline will be key to the future research direction for a range of functional materials. It will provide high-resolution 3D imaging to explore and understand these materials along with the opportunities for 3D electrochemical reaction tracking and chemical speciation location. Sample environments including electrochemical flow cells with electrical biasing, gas mixing and timing infrastructure and sample heating will be provided to enable research under a range of operando conditions. 3D nanoscale imaging will provide key information into material structure, helping to nano-engineer materials for higher storage capacities, more efficient gas and fluid exchange and the optimization of parameters for performance, safety, cost efficiency and lifetime.  

The CSXID beamline will provide the necessary equipment and infrastructure to enable the user community to drive forward these scientific aims. This will encompass a range of high-resolution coherent imaging techniques including ptychography, holography and Bragg coherent diffraction imaging which will be supported by scanning transmission x-ray microscopy and with a probe into the third dimension through tomography and laminography. The beamline will use soft x-rays ranging in energy from 250 eV up to 3500 eV with a high degree of coherence. Full control over the x-ray polarization will be available, including circular left and right along with linear polarization which will be tuneable over 180 degrees.