Optics (XSD-OPT)

The core mission of OPT is to develop and deliver innovative x-ray optics and optical systems and provide related services to further the APS mission of enabling cutting-edge scientific research. In support of this mission, the Optics group:

  • Designs, fabricates, and characterizes x-ray optical elements, such as crystal monochromators and analyzers, single- and multi-layer optics, and nanofocusing optics;
  • Operates and develops optics fabrication and characterization laboratories and instruments, including the crystal optics fabrication laboratory, the deposition laboratory, the optical metrology laboratory, and the 1-BM Optics Testing Beamline; and
  • Conducts R&D to develop future-generation optical components, such as wavefront- preserving optics and wavefront sensors and characterization tools, as well as beamline optics simulation, diagnostics, and optimization tools.

Established in the mid-1990s after the commissioning of the APS, OPT has evolved to comprise the following main activities: 1) crystal optics and multilayer optics development and fabrication, 2) zone plate development and fabrication, 3) beamline optics simulation, characterization, and optimization, 4) optical metrology, and 5) operation of the 1-BM Optics Testing Beamline.
Work Request Form
To submit a work request to the Optics group, select the Work Request Form link
Crystal Optics Fabrication and Characterization

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Comprehensive in-house infrastructure, capabilities and expertise for fabricating and developing almost all kinds of crystal-based X-ray optics-A unique capability in the US.

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Mirrors and Multilayer Optics
Develop and fabricate single and multilayer thin film optics, as well as experimental samples, primarily for APS beamlines and users. Staff are available for consultation regarding thin-film deposition materials selection and general optical component design or simulation.
Zone Plates and other Nano-fabricated X-ray Optics

Work requests can be submitted by filling the Optics Group's work request from.

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Optical Metrology
The mission of the metrology laboratory is to evaluate optical quality of x-ray mirrors and substrates to be used in the APS beamlines, in order to ensure compliance with the user's specifications in terms of surface figure error and finish. The lab can characterize x-ray mirror-bender assemblies and specialized optics as well as carry out joint R&D programs to develop new metrology measurement techniques and instrumentation.
X-ray Beam Wavefront Sensors, Characterization, and Diagnostic

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1-BM Optics and Detectors Testing Beamline

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Current optics Testing Capabilities include: monochromatic topography, white beam topography, Talbot grating interferometry, K-B mirrors testing, Zone plate and multilayer layer Laue lens (MLL) testing.

Experiment proposal requests can be submitted using the APS Users proposal portal
Beamline Optics Simulation and Characterization
Provide optics simulation and beamline characterization (flux, beam size, vibration, wavefront and coherence) supports to APS beamlines. Develop advanced optics simulation methods and wavefront and coherence measurement techniques.

Beamline Optics Simulation and Code Development

Beamline optics simulation is essential for the new beamline development as well as for improving the beamline operation. The group specialists widely use the optics simulation suite OASYS to provide simulation support and develop integrated advanced optics simulation methods.

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