Abstract

A significant amount of research and development has been invested in miniature synchrotron devices, generally referred to as Compact Synchrotron Sources (CSS), which are not as powerful as large synchrotrons, but much more economical, and capable of offering cutting-edge research opportunities in a university campus setting. In 2008, NSF convened a “Light Source Panel” to discuss the prospects and plans for the future of synchrotron facilities. The report of this panel describes CSS as “exciting and capable of creating revolutionary or disruptive technologies” with a conclusion that “research activities at such small-scale synchrotron facilities … have a place in the development of new paradigms and experimental techniques and in workforce development. Over the last decade several CSS devices have been developed that are now available as commercial almost-turn-key instruments, though their usage thus far has been limited to industrial labs outside of USA.

University of Hawaii has a well-established history of involvement in development of X-ray experimental method, instrumentation, as well as synchrotron research, particularly in extreme conditions science and mineral physics. We are currently spearheading efforts to establish Hawaiian Center for Compact Advanced Synchrotron Technology Innovation and Development (HI-COAST-TIDE). The first stage of this project would create a fully-functional home synchrotron technology development lab (HI-COAST-TIDE-1), based on high-power Excillum MetalJet devices, the brightest currently available non-synchrotron commercial X-ray sources. Further, we will conceive a detailed design plan, perform proof of concept experiments, and develop specialized X-ray optics, as well as beamline instrumentation that will enable to later establish a complete home synchrotron facility (HI-COAST-TIDE-2), based on MIRRORCLE, the smallest in the world commercial synchrotron device manufactured by Photon Production Laboratory.

For HI-COAST-TIDE-1 we plan to construct 3 custom, synchrotron-style experimental stations equipped with 6 separate instruments, which will then be transferred to the MirrorCLE facility, if HI-COAST-TIDE-2 proposal is funded. Experimental Station 1 will be optimized for high energy experiments, and will implement 3 instruments: heavy-duty extreme conditions single crystal diffractometer with laser spectroscopy platform (ECSXD), large volume hydraulic press (LVP) for high-pressure and high-temperature synthesis, compression and deformation experiments combined with in situ XRD, radiography and ultrasonic interferometry measurements, and an in-vacuum Micro-XRF/Laue XRD system (XRF) with a silicon drift diode detector and a direct-detection CCD. Experimental Station 2 will be optimized for low energy (CuKa) experiments, and will implement two instruments, an automated chemical crystallography single crystal XRD station (ACCSXD) with sample handling robot to transfer crystals from a cryogenic storage Dewar to the diffractometer, and Small Angle X-ray Scattering station (SAXS). Experimental Station 3 will house X-ray imaging system allowing high resolution radiographic, tomographic and phase contrast experiments.

HI-COAST-TIDE will be managed by a scientifically-diverse research consortium and including scientists from the University of Hawaii System, as well as representatives of leading research institutions in continental US. HI-COAST-TIDE will offer access to instrument time to both on-campus and off-campus users through a proposal driven peer-review process. The center will significantly boost UH research activities, create unique training opportunities for students of diverse ethnicity and social background, and open new doors to scientific collaborations in critical areas such as sustainable energy, clean environment and advanced technological materials. Once completed, HI-COAST-TIDE will establish a blueprint for the most advanced lab-based X-ray facility that will be available for technology transfer to other research labs. The center will establish a regular program of training workshops, tutorials and instructional videos to educate future users.

Fig. 1. (a) Preliminary design of HI-COAST-TIDE-1 Experimental Station 1, featuring dual-port Excillum MetalJet E1 160 kV X-ray Source, for extreme conditions single-crystal XRD, micro-XRF and LVP experiments. (b) Example of non-quenchable high pressure phase in mineral enstatite (Mg_0.1Fe_0.1)SiO₃. (c) Changes in the equivalent unit cell parameter of different phases across 4 displacive phase transitions. Single crystal samples of enstatite loaded in high-pressure diamond anvil cell.