Slit blade for synchrotron radiation facilities

Precision Machining of Tungsten Slit Blades for Synchrotron Radiation Facilities

In 2024, the next-generation synchrotron radiation facility NanoTerasu, established in Miyagi Prefecture, began operation.

Synchrotron radiation facilities function much like giant microscopes. The synchrotron light generated by accelerating electrons at high speeds offers extremely high resolution, enabling the observation of fine structures. These facilities support research across a wide range of fields, including materials science, biology, chemistry, and physics. Our company manufactures precision components for synchrotron facilities around the world, including NanoTerasu, in response to requests from researchers. The example we introduce here is a tungsten “slit blade” used at SPring-8, a synchrotron radiation facility located in Hyogo Prefecture.

“Even with difficult-to-machine materials, we ensure no deformation (“burring”) and precisely control surface roughness and angles.”

In synchrotron radiation facilities, intense light (synchrotron radiation) is directed onto materials, and the energy emitted during this process (X-rays) is analyzed to study the electronic structure of the materials.

Next-generation synchrotron radiation facilities handle even higher energies in order to conduct more detailed electronic structure analysis, and one of the key components used in the spectrometers for this purpose is the slit blade.

The slit blade serves the function of isolating only the light with the required energy and directing it onto the sample. It is placed in front of the sample that is to be measured.

[X-ray Ptychography Measurement Image (Example: SPring-8 BL29XUL)]

To achieve high energy resolution in excitation light, it is essential to precisely shape the synchrotron radiation beam, and for this purpose, the edges of the slit blade must be extremely sharp.

Polishing is often associated with the risk of “deformation” (burring), but with TDC’s polishing technology, we can precisely control the shape and size of the component. Additionally, our company specializes in machining difficult materials, such as tungsten and tantalum, and we provide high-quality slit blades with precise sharp edges and angle control that meet the stringent requirements of researchers.

The properties and applications of tungsten and tantalum, as well as examples of TDC’s precision machining, are introduced in the following articles. Please take a look:

Tungsten: Properties, Uses and Processing Examples
Tantalum: Properties, Uses and Processing Examples

By the way, the component shown in the image above, called an “attenuator,” plays an important role in uniformly attenuating the intensity of the synchrotron radiation beam, and our ultra-flat surface processing technology is also utilized for this component.

If you face challenges with precision machining of difficult-to-machine materials, please feel free to consult with TDC.

TDC Information

Related page