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  5. SwissFEL Bernina

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SwissFEL Bernina

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SwissFEL Instrument Bernina

The Bernina instrument is specialized for studying ultrafast phenomena in condensed matter systems.

The X-ray beamline design emphasizes experimental stability with state-of-the-art X-ray optical elements and single pulse diagnostics which should ensure stable FEL beam pointing and femtosecond timing over days.

A flexible diffractometer platform allows to apply different resonant and non-resonant diffraction techniques in combination with even heavy load sample environments like low temperature cryostats or magnets.

A large range from THz to UV light pulses pulses converted from a 20 mJ Ti:Sapphire laser system can be used to specifically excite specimens in pump/probe experiments.

The instrument is operated by the Bernina Group.


Status: The Bernina Instrument welcomes first users and is being further commissioned and developed. 

Bernina endstation and X-ray parameters
Photon energy range 4.5 keV – 12.7 keV
Beam profile Focused < 5x5 µm2 (fwhm) to unfocused ~500x500 µm2 (fwhm, photon energy dependent)
Bandwidth Monochromatic (Si(111), Si(311), InSb(111) and harmonics) and pink beam (~0.25% of fundamental)
Environment He or ambient atmosphere, platform for user-supplied chambers, N2 and He based cryo stream coolers down to ~80 K (tested), Vacuum chamber for low sample temperature (~5 K)
Sample systems Solids: single crystals, powders, amorphous systems
Detectors and Spectrometer -1.5 M Jungfrau detector
-16 M Jungfrau detector
-Diodes or single element (0.5 M) Jungfrau detectors for multi- purpose applications
Bernina optical pump laser
Primary pump source 800 nm, 35 fs FWHM, 10 mJ (Ti:Sapphire)
Secondary pump sources 240 nm - 14 micron (OPA with additional nonlinear conversion options). At present pulse energies at the sample location for 240-400 nm have been measured in the range of 10-30 µJ. We expect pulse energies of 150-500 µJ between 400 nm and 780 nm; 150-500 µJ between 1 µm and 2.5 µm; 15-30 µJ between 2.5 µm and 14 µm. Pulse durations are expected to be approximately 50 fs fwhm and up to 250 fs for the 2.5 µm to 14 µm range depending on the wavelength. Nearly single cycle THz (~ 1THz center frequency). Preliminary commissioning measurements have measured fields of > 300 kV/cm for nearly-single-cycle pulses with a center frequency near 1 THz. Other center frequencies in the range of 1-2.5 THz are possible but not yet tested.

Current Highlights and News

27 September 2021
eunige

Ultrafast electron localization

This experiment performed at SwissFEL shows how fast we can localize electrons out of an electron gas into correlated, well localized states of a material. It is based on a combined ultrafast x-ray absorption and diffraction experiment on an intermetallic system.

Read more
22 April 2021
vorschaubild

Uniquely sharp X-ray view

Media Releases Research Using Synchrotron Light Materials Research SwissFEL Future Technologies

A new PSI method allows quantum-physical research on materials with the aid of X-ray lasers.

Read more
1 April 2021
Teaser Lemke

Compact and high-performance, like a Swiss Army knife

Research Using Synchrotron Light Materials Research SwissFEL Future Technologies

The X-ray free-electron laser SwissFEL really is as high-performance and versatile as planned.

Read more

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Contact

Bernina Group
OVGA/320
5232 Villigen PSI
Switzerland

Henrik Lemke
Group Leader
Telephone: +41 56 310 49 82
E-mail: henrik.lemke@psi.ch

SwissFEL

Switzerland's X-ray free-electron laser

Operation Schedule

Information about the Operation of the SwissFEL Bernina Beamline.

User Contacts

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Bernina Research Group

The Bernina group works on experimental studies of beyond-equilirium ultrafast phenomena in condensed matter.
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