Applying for beamtime at the AS MEX1 and MEX2 beamlines
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If you answer “NO” to any of these questions; STOP. Go back and take the necessary steps to answer “YES”, otherwise your proposal is likely uncompetitive.
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Sample Table template BELOW. You may copy and paste this into your proposal and modify to suit your experiment. Concentration is particularly important for the beamline team to determine feasibility. Failure to provide an appropriate concentration increases the chances your experiment will be deemed infeasible. Furthermore, it is vital you know the composition of your sample if you want to make a successful x-ray absorption spectroscopy measurement. The way you present concentration in the sample table depends on the analysis mode (fluorescence, F; transmission, T; or drain current, D) you wish you use:
Fluorescence (MEX-1 & MEX-2) - express the concentration of the element of interest in one of the following units:
weight percent
part per million (ppm)
millimolal (liquid samples only)
samples measured in fluorescence are susceptible to over absorption (also referred to as self-absorption). Good fluorescence samples have 2000 ppm or less of the element of interest. If your samples have weight percent abundance, you will have to dilute them, or develop a strategy for correcting for self-absorption.
Transmission (MEX-1 only)
edge step (Δμd) and total absorption (μd)
it is vital you understand the composition of your sample, and the properties that make a good transmission sample. See this comprehensive guide for how to calculate the appropriate dilution for transmission samples in pellet form.
Drain current (MEX-2 only) - express the concentration of the element of interest in one of the following units:
weight percent
part per million (ppm)
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