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S Pascarelli

Publications and source records attributed to S Pascarelli.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Verifying DiffEXAFS measurements with differential X-ray diffraction.

Differential EXAFS (DiffEXAFS) is a novel technique for measuring atomic perturbations on a local scale. Here a complementary technique for such studies is presented: differential X-ray diffraction (DiffXRD), which may be used to independently verify DiffEXAFS results whilst using exactly the same experimental apparatus and measurement technique. A test experiment has been conducted to show that DiffXRD can be used to successfully determine the thermal expansion coefficient of SrF(2).

Reproducibility of Results↗

Energy-dispersive absorption spectroscopy for hard-X-ray micro-XAS applications.

Originally developed for time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), energy-dispersive absorption spectroscopy offers new opportunities for applications such as fluorescence detection and microbeams for scanning probe spectroscopy, thanks to recent developments in both instrumentation and optics. In this context, this paper presents a first example of chemical mapping recorded at ID24, the energy-dispersive XAS beamline at the ESRF. Attributes of this geometry for microanalysis are addressed. Finally, present and future plans are discussed and developed in the light of the evolution of the focal spot on this instrument in the past ten years.

Image Processing, Computer-Assisted↗

Magnetic instabilities in Fe3C cementite particles observed with Fe K-edge x-ray circular dichroism under pressure.

The ferromagnetic interstitial iron compound Fe(3)C (cementite) is expected to have Invar properties, whereby a high-moment to low-moment transition should occur when the atomic volume is reduced below a critical value. We, therefore, examine the pressure dependence of the Fe K-edge x-ray magnetic circular dichroism in Fe(3)C at ambient temperature and pressures up to 20 GPa. We find clear evidence for a high-moment to low-moment transition around 10 GPa.

Journal Article↗

Dynamics of the magnetic and structural alpha-epsilon phase transition in iron.

We have studied the high-pressure iron bcc to hcp phase transition by simultaneous x-ray magnetic circular dichroism and x-ray absorption spectroscopy with an x-ray energy dispersive spectrometer. The combination of the two techniques allows us to obtain simultaneously information on both the structure and the magnetic state of iron under pressure. The magnetic and structural transitions simultaneously observed are sharp. Both are of first order in agreement with the theoretical prediction. The pressure domain of the transition observed (2.4+/-0.2 GPa) is narrower than that usually cited in the literature (8 GPa). Our data indicate that the magnetic transition slightly precedes the structural one, suggesting that the origin of the instability of the bcc phase in iron with increasing pressure is to be attributed to the effect of pressure on magnetism as predicted by spin-polarized full-potential total energy calculations.

Journal Article↗

XMCD under pressure at the Fe K edge on the energy-dispersive beamline of the ESRF.

The present paper demonstrates the feasibility of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) at high pressure at the Fe K edge on the ID24 energy-dispersive beamline of the ESRF. In 3d transition metals, performing experiments at the hard X-ray K edge rather than at the magnetically interesting soft X-ray L edges represents the only way to access the high-pressure regime obtainable with diamond anvil cells. The simultaneous availability of a local structure (XAS) and of a magnetic (XMCD) probe on the sample under identical thermodynamical conditions is essential for studying correlations between local structural and magnetic properties. The state-of-the-art theoretical understanding of K-edge XMCD data is briefly summarized, and the set-up of beamline ID24 for high-pressure XMCD experiments is illustrated and the conditions required to perform measurements at the K edges of 3d transition metals are underlined. Finally, two examples of recent high-pressure results at the Fe K edge in pure Fe and Fe3O4 powder are presented.

Journal Article↗

Anomalous wide-angle X-ray scattering apparatus on the GILDA beamline at the ESRF.

The experimental apparatus for anomalous wide-angle X-ray scattering (AWAXS) on the GILDA beamline at the ESRF is described. The main features are the high beam stability and reproducibility which allow anomalous scattering effects to be resolved also on dilute elements, the large spectral range which allows AWAXS experiments at the K edges of heavy elements, and the use of a high-efficiency detection system. The apparatus has been tested in extreme conditions by performing AWAXS experiments at the Eu K edge in Eu-doped Sr metaphosphate glasses.

Journal Article↗

Observation of horizontal focusing of X-rays using a toothed-crystal monochromator.

The behaviour of a toothed-crystal monochromator for synchrotron radiation was studied for the first time on the GILDA CRG beamline at the ESRF. A new kind of horizontal focusing was observed which may be attributed to the properties of inclined diffraction. We have also observed a vertical focusing of the beam, the nature of which remains unexplained.

Journal Article↗

X-ray Optics of a Dynamical Sagittal-Focusing Monochromator on the GILDA Beamline at the ESRF.

The performance of a dynamical sagittal-focusing monochromator for hard X-rays is described. It consists of a flat first crystal and a diamond-shaped ribbed second crystal which is clamped by its central rib and dynamically bent by applying a force on its two apices. The system has proved to perform very well on the GILDA beamline at the ESRF. The horizontal acceptance varies with energy and with focusing geometry as predicted theoretically; the total available horizontal fan of radiation (3.6 mrad) is in fact collected in the 1:3 geometry. The system is routinely run in a dynamical focusing mode for XAFS spectroscopy in the energy range 5-30 keV with Si(311) crystals, with a constant spot size FWHM ~1 mm on the sample and without degradation of energy resolution or reproducibility. Using simple geometrical considerations we calculate the variations of the horizontal profile of the reflected beam during rocking-curve scans in different focusing geometries and find them in agreement with observed ones. Not only is this is a practical aid in alignment but it illustrates the X-ray optics of sagittal focusing in an elegant way.

Journal Article↗