In this paper the back-side-illuminated Percival 2-Megapixel (P2M) detector is presented, along with its characterization by means of optical and X-ray photons. For the first time, the response of the system to soft X-rays (250 eV to 1 keV) is presented. The main performance parameters of the first detector are measured, assessing the capabilities in terms of noise, dynamic range and single-photon discrimination capability. Present limitations and coming improvements are discussed.

We present an high-resolution 3D (X,Y,t) imager for time-resolved experiments based on time-to-space conversion. The system uses Cross Delay-Line detectors (CDL) for particle identification and a fully-configurable digital processor based on Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) for the 3D image reconstruction. The instrument reaches a spatial resolution of 45 μm FWHM (i.e.,18 μm r.m.s.) and a temporal precision of 15 ps r.m.s.. The detection rate achieved is 10 Mcps, with a dead-time below 7 ns, leading to a global throughput up to 6 Gb/s. In addition to the state-of-the-art performance, the innovative aspect of the presented contribution resides in the complete reconfigurability of the instrument: it is, in fact, the first time that the Time-to-Digital Converter (TDC) used for the time-to-space conversion, has been fully implemented in programmable logic, without the use of dedicated Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) components. This advancement allows to adapt the instrument to the experimental setup without undergoing impractical hardware modifications.

X-ray absorption fine-structure (XAFS) spectroscopy can assess the chemical speciation of the elements providing their coordination and oxidation state, information generally hidden to other techniques. In the case of trace elements, achieving a good quality XAFS signal poses several challenges, as it requires high photon flux, counting statistics and detector linearity. Here, a new multi-element X-ray fluorescence detector is presented, specifically designed to probe the chemical speciation of trace 3d elements down to the p.p.m. range. The potentialities of the detector are presented through a case study: the speciation of ultra-diluted elements (Fe, Mn and Cr) in geological rocks from a calcareous formation related to the dispersal processes from Ontong (Java) volcanism (mid-Cretaceous). Trace-elements speciation is crucial in evaluating the impact of geogenic and anthropogenic harmful metals on the environment, and to evaluate the risks to human health and ecosystems. These results show that the new detector is suitable for collecting spectra of 3d elements in trace amounts in a calcareous matrix. The data quality is high enough that quantitative data analysis could be performed to determine their chemical speciation.

This work reports on the recent activities carried out by the Detector and Instrumentation Laboratory of Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste. Since both the Elettra synchrotron and the Fermi free electron laser are generating photons in the low to medium x-ray energy range from some eV to tenths of keV the activities of the detector and instrumentation laboratory focuses on spectroscopic and imaging photon detectors, which feature high quantum efficiency from below the carbon edge and are operated also in UHV environments. Special focus will be drawn on custom made monolithic and multi element silicon drift detectors for the Twinmic and the XRF beam line at Elettra. Regarding low energy imaging detectors the PERCIVAL CMOS (‘Pixelated Energy Resolving CMOS Imager, Versatile and Large’) will be discussed which is currently being developed by a collaboration of DESY, RAL, Elettra, PAL and DLS to address the need for this type of detectors for free electron lasers in the soft X-ray regime. The majorities of Elettra’s soft x-ray beam lines are employing fast and spatially resolving electron detectors and their associated readout electronics, which have been developed in-house and have been tailored to the specific needs of the respective beam line. In addition devices for in situ beam diagnostics and dose monitoring for synchrotron radiation and FEL beams have been developed and are operated on a daily basis. Moreover, some recent results in basic research on room temperature semiconductors will be discussed. It is noteworthy that Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste through its Industrial Liaison Office commercializes many of these devices and the associated read-out electronics. In this presentation an overview of these devices and their application to specific scientific applications will be given and in view of upgrade programs future directions will be discussed.

We report on a custom-built UHV-compatible Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect (MOKE) magnetometer for applications in surface and materials sciences, operating in tandem with the PhotoEmission Electron Microscope (PEEM) endstation at the Nanospectroscopy beamline of the Elettra synchrotron. The magnetometer features a liquid-nitrogen-cooled electromagnet that is fully compatible with UHV operation and produces magnetic fields up to about 140 mT at the sample. Longitudinal and polar MOKE measurement geometries are realized. The magneto-optical detection is based on polarization analysis using a photoelastic modulator. The sample manipulation system is fully compatible with that of the PEEM, making it possible to exchange samples with the beamline endstation, where complementary X-ray imaging and spectroscopy techniques are available. The magnetometer performance is illustrated by experiments on cobalt ultra-thin films, demonstrating close to monolayer sensitivity. The advantages of combining in situ growth, X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism imaging (XMCD-PEEM) and MOKE magnetometry into a versatile multitechnique facility are highlighted.