Spectrometer pre-scans for Diamond Light Source

Fischer Instrumentation (GB) has been contracted to supply the Microfocus Spectroscopy beamline at Diamond Light Source with the Fischer XDAL-FD X-ray spectrometer system

There are currently nine operational experimental stations or beamlines within Diamond, with 13 more due for completion by 2012, and the Microfocus Spectroscopy beamline is world class in the mapping of inhomogeneous mineral samples under principal beamline scientist Fred Mosselmans.

Diamond Light Source is based on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus near Didcot, Oxfordshire and from here it uses electrons to produce X-ray, infrared and ultra-violet beams of exceptional brightness, known as synchrotron light.

From these highly focused beams of light, scientists and engineers are able to probe deep into the basic structure of matter and materials at the atomic and molecular level to lead scientific breakthroughs in the fields of biotechnology, medicine, environmental and materials science.

Mineral samples are understood to have varying compositions and the Fischer XDAL Spectrometer was selected with its beam of 100microns diameter to scan initial mineral samples and highlight the areas within the samples for the synchrotron light, with its highly focused beam of about two micron diameter.

"The Fischer XDAL was chosen for the task because of its ability to cover a wide range of elements and its cost-effectiveness" comments Mosselmans.

Ray Scruby, MD of Fischer Instrumentation (GB), adds: "We are proud to be associated with such pioneering research and our long-standing reputation for well made materials analysis instrumentation manufactured by Helmut-Fischer will ensure reliability and longevity for the Diamond project".

Dr Mosselmans's current research interests include the cycling of toxic metals by earthworms, the absorption of metals on bacterial cells and using synchrotron radiation to characterise and thereby help preserve historical materials.

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