J Synchrotron Rad

Design and performances of a compact differential pumping unit for X-ray beamlines We present a compact differential pumping unit with apertures ≥500 µm. It allows windowless operation for in-air sample environments as well as to connect low-quality in-vacuum sample environments to the beamline UHV section. The unit also protects the UHV section from accidental venting. The overall footprint is restricted to 368 mm on the beam axis.

Cristian Maccarrone et al.: Design and performances of a compact differential pumping unit for X-ray beamlines #DifferentialPumpingUnit #WindowlessSetup #Turbopump @esrfsynchrotron...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525007945

Signal-to-noise and spatial resolution in in-line imaging. 2. Phase-contrast tomography A biomedical X-ray imaging quality characteristic, suitable for quantitative assessment of X-ray images of biological samples, is introduced and then applied to analysis of propagation-based X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography images of mastectomy samples.

Timur E. Gureyev et al.: Signal-to-noise and spatial resolution in in-line imaging. 2. Phase-contrast tomography #XRayImaging #ComputedTomography #PhaseContrast @unimelb@MonashUni@ucnz@uninewengland...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525007829

High magnification optical imaging systems for the characterization of soft X-ray focii We developed compact soft X-ray imaging systems optimized for ultra-high-vacuum environments, achieving micrometer-level spatial resolution with high collection efficiency. Characterization confirmed excellent sensitivity and linearity, with applications demonstrated in caustic measurements and grating interferometry for wavefront analysis.

Andre Al Haddad et al.: High magnification optical imaging systems for the characterization of soft X-ray focii #SoftXRays #Imaging #FocusCharacterization @psich_en@EPFL_en...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S160057752500774X

Structures of photoactive yellow protein were determined by serial femtosecond crystallography after illumination, capturing the isomerization of the chromophore after it absorbs light. Structures included in this movie include: 5hd3 (ground state), 5hdc (100-400 femtoseconds after illumination), 5hdd, 5hds (3 picoseconds), 4b9o (100 picoseconds), 5hd5 (200 nanoseconds) and 1ts0 (1 millisecond). For more, see the Molecule of the Month on Photoactive Yellow Protein and Guide to Understanding PDB Data: Methods for Determining Atomic Structures.

Interested in Synchrotrons & XFEL Radiation?
The IUCr2026 meeting has you covered with SEVEN sessions, including Synergies between cryoEM, diffraction methods, and complementary biophysical measurements; Structural studies across time scales; and more:
event.fourwaves.com/...

🧪 The countdown to IUCr2026 is officially on. The Call for Abstracts opens October 1, 2025, & this is your opportunity to share your discoveries on the global crystallography stage.

Stay informed and get the details first at 👉 iucr2026.org
Let science, structure, and scenery collide.

By integrating cutting-edge technologies and workflows, XFBLD-Platform addresses key challenges in fragment-based lead discovery, such as throughput, accuracy and data management #FragmentBasedLeadDiscovery #ProteinCrystallography #FragmentScreening doi.org/10.1107/S205...

The September issue of IUCrJ is now available at tinyurl.com/5n7mdan4

The September issue is here! tinyurl.com/bdeby9au

The cover highlights XFBLD-Platform, a crystallographic fragment-screening platform at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. Find out more at tinyurl.com/36rzxazr

📣Scholarship program of the European Crystallographic Association for PhD students or young post-docs working in any field of crystallography!!!
Apply before October 15, 2025!!!
More info: ecanews.org/blog/2025/09...

The September issue of @jsynchrotronrad.iucr.org is now online bit.ly/3UUlj8b The cover shows source property characterization of the upgraded Advanced Photon Source using grating interferometry bit.ly/3JIgexq

Heavy-element damage seeding in proteins under XFEL illumination Plasma simulations with detailed modeling of unbound electron dynamics predict that heavy elements contribute significantly to radiation damage suffered by proteins in serial femtosecond crystallography. New methods to mitigate radiation damage in this regime are highlighted.

Spencer K. Passmore et al.: Heavy-element damage seeding in proteins under XFEL illumination #HeavyElementDamageSeedingXFEL #HeavyElementDamageSeeding #XFEL @UniMelb@Swinburne@DeptofPhysics@RMIT...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525005934

Gamma-ray spectra and absorbed doses measured at EuXFEL undulator system The origin and composition of the stray radiation at the EuXFEL undulator system are investigated. This is essential for machine protection, as the stray radiation can damage the undulator permanent magnets as well as the correction and diagnostic equipment along the beamline.

Olga Falowska-Pietrzak et al.: Gamma-ray spectra and absorbed doses measured at EuXFEL undulator system #EuXFEL #Undulators #Geant4 @stockholms_univ@EuropeanXFEL@AarhusUni...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525006605

Time-resolved serial synchrotron and serial femtosecond crystallography of heme proteins using photocaged nitric oxide We demonstrate the application of a nitric oxide releasing photocage system for time-resolved serial crystallography studies of two heme containing proteins using a fixed target sample delivery system. Optimal parameters for successful photocage activation and nitric oxide release are explored.

Peter Smyth et al.: Time-resolved serial synchrotron and serial femtosecond crystallography of heme proteins using photocaged nitric oxide #TimeResolvedXRayCrystallography #SerialCrystallography @Uni_of_Essex...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S2052252525006645

FoamQuant: a Python package for time-resolved 3D image quantification of cellular materials FoamQuant is an open-source Python package for analyzing large time-resolved three-dimensional datasets of foam-like cellular materials, enabling automated extraction of structural and mechanical parameters over time. It is demonstrated through case studies on plastic event orientation in flowing foam and bubble tracking in coarsening albumin foam.

Florian Schott et al.: FoamQuant: a Python package for time-resolved 3D image quantification of cellular materials #Tomography #ImageAnalysis #CellularMaterials @lundsuni@UGrenobleAlpes@uni_lyon@DTUtweet...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525006629

Calculation of effective pump dose in X-ray-pump/X-ray-probe experiments A scheme is proposed to calculate an effective fluence of a spatially non-uniform pump pulse such that the observable of interest calculated with the effective fluence is very close to the volume-integrated observable. This approach simplifies computational simulations of X-ray irradiated solids.

Sebastião Antunes et al.: Calculation of effective pump dose in X-ray-pump/X-ray-probe experiments #DynamicalStudies #FreeElectronLaser @CFEL_Hamburg@EuropeanXFEL@riken_en@unihh@SLAClab@UAM_Poznan...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525006939

An X-ray beamline for utilizing intense, high-energy undulator radiation The design, development and performance of an X-ray beamline for utilizing intense, high-energy undulator radiation are presented.

Hirokatsu Yumoto et al.: An X-ray beamline for utilizing intense, high-energy undulator radiation #HighEnergyXRays #DoubleMultilayerMonochromator #HighHeatLoadOptics @riken_en@spring8pr...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525006903

Multimodal hard X-ray nanoprobe techniques for operando investigations of photovoltaic devices X-ray beam-induced current (XBIC) measurements were implemented on the Hard X-ray Nanoprobe at Diamond Light Source, allowing simultaneous XBIC and nano X-ray fluorescence mapping of photovoltaic devices.

Eunyoung Choi et al.: Multimodal hard X-ray nanoprobe techniques for operando investigations of photovoltaic devices #HardXRayNanoprobes #XBIC #XRF @DiamondLightSource@Cambridge_Uni@advancedphoton@georgiatech...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525006034

Fabrication and characterization of a full-size ultra-precise lamellar grating for the Cosmic beamline at ALS-U Nanofabrication enables extremely precise and highly efficient variable line spacing diffraction gratings for X-rays.

D​mitriy Voronov et al.: Fabrication and characterization of a full-size ultra-precise lamellar grating for the Cosmic beamline at ALS-U #VariableLineSpacing #GrooveDensity @advlightsource@BrookhavenLab...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525005946

Design and implementation of a climate chamber for moisture sensitive nanotomography of biological samples Design and implementation of an in situ climate chamber for nanotomography allowing the analysis of moisture sensitive specimens at different relative humidity and temperature settings at the nanotomography imaging station of beamline P05 (operated by Hereon, at the PETRA III storage ring, DESY, Germany).

M​artin Nopens et al.: Design and implementation of a climate chamber for moisture sensitive nanotomography of biological samples #InSitu #Nanotomography #ClimateChamber @HereonHelmholtz@unihh@FreiburgUni...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525006484

Achieving nanosecond time resolution with a two-dimensional X-ray detector A proof-of-principle of a nanosecond time-resolved experiment is demonstrated using a TEMPUS detector. The concept exploits an event driven mode of the detector and cross-correlation analysis to overcome pixel dead time, and offers new opportunities for time-resolved studies.

Yuriy Chushkin et al.: Achieving nanosecond time resolution with a two-dimensional X-ray detector #XRayDetector #XPCS #Timepix4 @esrfsynchrotron@desy@EuropeanXFEL...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525006599

Characterization of grating monochromator performance based on start-to-end FEL pulse propagation method A start-to-end FEL pulse propagation method has been developed to evaluate grating monochromator performance, quantifying the impacts of longitudinal source jitter, finite-aperture diffraction, and thermal deformation on resolving power, thereby offering realistic guidance for FEL beamline design and optimization.

Ye Zhu et al.: Characterization of grating monochromator performance based on start-to-end FEL pulse propagation method #BeamlineDesign #GratingMonochromator #PulsePropagation @SUSTechSZ...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525006472

Arbitrary thickness profile metrology of low-Z and monolithic material components with a single X-ray projection A thickness metrology method based on X-ray phase contrast imaging is proposed. By precisely retrieving the phase shift of X-rays passing through the sample, high-precision arbitrary thickness profile measurement can be achieved with a single X-ray projection. A measurement case of a microlens array is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method.

Wenjie Hao et al.: Arbitrary thickness profile metrology of low-Z and monolithic material components with a single X-ray projection #XRayPhaseContrastImaging #ThicknessMetrology #SingleProjectionMeasurement ... #IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525005521

XASDB: a new database of experimental interactive X-ray absorption spectra A comprehensive database for experimental X-ray absorption spectroscopy data is presented. This integrated and user-friendly platform combines spectrum visualization, raw data processing, spectrum matching and downloading.

Xueqi Song et al.: XASDB: a new database of experimental interactive X-ray absorption spectra #XRayAbsorptionSpectroscopy #Database #XASMatch ... #IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525006174

3DMPR – a robust morphological approach for applying phase retrieval in proximity to highly attenuating objects in computed tomography Application of 3D phase retrieval in a multi-step, masking framework allows for strong phase retrieval to be applied near highly attenuating materials without compromising spatial resolution. Demonstrations in brain computed tomography imaging show up to a 6.8-fold improvement in signal-to-noise ratio over standard phase retrieval processes, further broadening its dose-reduction potential in potential clinical applications.

James A. Pollock et al.: 3DMPR – a robust morphological approach for applying phase retrieval in proximity to highly attenuating objects in computed tomography #XRayImaging #PhaseContrast #HighContrast @MonashUni...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525005843

Towards a new vision of PaNET: enhancing reasoning capabilities for better photon and neutron data discovery This evolution of PaNET builds on the initial foundational work, which established the infrastructure and incorporated domain expert knowledge, by introducing logical frameworks that provide enhanced reasoning capabilities, and is proposed to address the limitations of the current version of the ontology. This under-the-hood development has resulted in a more complete and robust knowledge representation system for use in data catalogue services within the photon and neutron community.

Terence Tan et al.: Towards a new vision of PaNET: enhancing reasoning capabilities for better photon and neutron data discovery #PaNETOntology #ExperimentalTechniques #FAIRPrinciples @DiamondLightSou@UniofOxford...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525005272

Crystal-field splitting strength of U-6d orbitals in NaUO3, KUO3 and RbUO3 High-energy resolved fluorescence-detected X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the uranium L3 edge and relativistic quantum chemistry calculations are combined to study in detail the uranium valence electronic structure in NaUO3, KUO3 and RbUO3. The impact of the structural distortion of the oxygen octahedra around uranium on the contribution of uranium and oxygen states in observed spectral features is discussed.

Simon Orlat et al.: Crystal-field splitting strength of U-6d orbitals in NaUO3, KUO3 and RbUO3 #XRayAbsorptionSpectroscopy #HERFDXANES #ElectronicStructure ... #IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525005156

A low-background setup for in situ X-ray total scattering combined with fast scanning calorimetry A setup enabling in situ X-ray total scattering combined with fast scanning calorimetry is demonstrated at beamline ID15A of the ESRF, allowing for the retrieval of detailed structural evolution with changes in thermodynamic conditions.

Peihao Sun et al.: A low-background setup for in situ X-ray total scattering combined with fast scanning calorimetry #StructureOfGlasses #FastScanningCalorimetry #XRayTotalScattering @UniPadova@esrfsynchrotron...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525005594

The 10 m collimated Rowland spectrometer at the MAX IV Veritas beamline The design and performance of a soft X-ray RIXS instrument at the Veritas beamline at the MAX IV laboratory in Lund, Sweden, are presented.

M​arcus Agåker et al.: The 10 m collimated Rowland spectrometer at the MAX IV Veritas beamline #SpectrometerSynchrotronRIXSSoftXRayInstrument #Spectrometer #Synchrotron @uppsalauni@MAXIVLaboratory...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S1600577525005478

We're at #ISMBECCB2025! Come and chat to us about the IUCr and our journals!

High-quality ultra-fast total scattering and pair distribution function data using an X-ray free-electron laser This work demonstrates that high-quality ultra-fast total scattering data and pair distribution function data can be obtained from a single ∼30 fs pulse at the European XFEL, achieving a record Q range of up to 16.6 Å−1. These results establish XFELs as powerful tools for probing atomic scale structures on ultra-fast timescales, opening new opportunities for studying dynamic processes in disordered and complex materials.

Adam F. Sapnik et al.: High-quality ultra-fast total scattering and pair distribution function data using an X-ray free-electron laser @unimib@ucl@UniFAU@UniFreiburg@QUBelfast@koebenhavns_uni@UniofOxford...#IUCr https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S205225252500538X