New Scientific Opportunities at the European Synchrotron Radiation ...

European Synchrotron Radiation Facility Long-Term Strategy 7 July 2006
• regular organisation of international nanoscience meetings
• setting up a central database for various nanofocusing optics (CRL, Fresnel
zone plates, mirrors, crystals etc.).
Combination of microanalytical techniques include:
• Microtomography combined with various spectroscopic techniques (e.g.
XRF/XRD/XANES/EXAFS) should be pursued with nanoscopic resolution. In
this respect the stability of micro- (nano-) EXAFS represents a serious
problem even on the micrometer scale, which should be taken into account
during the developments of micro-spectroscopy beam lines.
• Combination of X-ray imaging with electron microscopy, which would be very
useful for nanoimaging and sample visualisation when optical microscopy
reaches its theoretical limits of resolution.
Further developments are needed in the field of data evaluation for phase-contrast
imaging techniques. A task-force should be created for improving the coordination
among phase-retrieval techniques developments. On-line data reduction/evaluation
in general is an important issue for imaging and scanning micro-spectroscopy, and its
development should be further pursued.
Oversubscription is a serious issue at imaging beamlines, therefore the increase in
the number of end-stations will be a positive development. The possibility of external
staffing via partnerships should be considered, possibly via 7 th framework EUprojects.
Report on the discussion held during the parallel session of the Surface and
Interface Science Group: Chris Lucas (UO), Joerg Zegenhagen (ESRF)
Christian Mocuta (ID1) gave the first presentation showing examples of micro-beam
diffraction studies of nanotubes and Ge pyramids on Si and coherent X-ray diffraction
measurements from Au microcrystals. Joerg Zegenhagen then summarised the
group activities on beamlines ID1, ID3 and ID32. Olaf Magnussen (University of Kiel),
gave an excellent introduction to the electrochemical interface and then described
some recent results concerning Au homoepitaxy, hydrogen evolution on Pt and liquid
mercury electrodes.
The talks were followed by detailed question and answer sessions from a packed
audience. The ESRF long term strategy (LTS) document was summarised by Chris
Lucas as a lead-in to the discussion session where the questions summarised at the
head of this Section were addressed.
This generated a great deal of discussion as to the potential limitations in studying
single nanoparticles and exactly how long a beamline would have to be in order to
have sufficient space around a sample. The highest priority for infrastructure support
was deemed to be detector development. It was pointed out that there appeared to
be a gap in the accessible energy range of synchrotron sources in the range 20-50
keV and the ESRF could fill this gap. Looking at the future it was noted that the LTS
describes a strategy that would be governing experiments performed in 5-10 years. It
48