BACH

The BACH beamline belongs to the Istituto Officina dei Materiali (IOM) of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) and it is operated by a CNR team in collaboration with Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A.
The beamline works in the Extreme UV-soft x-ray photon energy range (35-1650 eV) with selectable light polarization (linear horizontal and vertical, circular and elliptical), high energy resolution (the resolving power exceeds 10000), high intensity and brilliance and time resolution (70 ps in x-ray absorption and 300 ms in photoemission). The beamline offers a multi-technique approach for the investigation of the electronic, chemical, structural, magnetic and dynamical properties of materials. The sample environment is completely in ultra-high-vacuum (UHV). The beamline consists of three branch lines, equipped with specific purpose end-stations. The installation of temporary user experimental chambers is available. The end-stations preparation chambers allow for the preparation and characterization of solid samples in-situ. Samples in static liquid environment can also be measured in fluorescence yield.

Research highlights | Publications

Atomically-Precise Texturing of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanostripes

h-BN grown on a curved Rh crystal forms a continuous atomically-thin carpet revealing a transformation from 2D to 1D electronic band structure. This novel approach to nanopattering through epitaxial growth has practical technological implications.

Advanced Science 2101455 (2021)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202101455

Boron nitride-graphene in-plane hexagonal heterostructure in oxygen environment

Insights into the progressive and subsequent intercalation of oxygen, selective etching of graphene and oxidation of boron in a quasi-free standing Gr-h-BN monolayer during oxygen exposure.

Applied Surface Science (2022)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.154584

Improving the Efficiency of Gallium Telluride through Defects Engineering and Interfacing with its Native Oxide

The formation of a nanoscale sub-stoichiometric wide-band-gap Ga₂O₃ skin over narrow-band-gap gallium telluride upon air exposure is beneficial for electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and gas sensing.
Adv. Funct. Mat. (2022)
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202205923

Soft x-rays spectroscopies in liquids at BACH

We have developed suitable cells to perform soft x-ray spectroscopy in the presence of liquids and reagent gases at ambient pressure: two types of static cells working in transmission or in fluorescence modes, and an electrochemical flow cell which allows to carry out cyclic voltammetry in situ, electrochemical deposition on a working electrode and to study chemical reactions in-operando conditions. Review of Scientific Instruments 92 (2021)

Easy Hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of a hybrid graphene and hexagonal boron nitride monolayer

Insights into the mechanism of hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of a quasi-free standing Gr-h-BN monolayer are achieved by temperature-programmed photoemission.
2D Materials (2021)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1583/abda10

Altering properties of transition metal dichalcogenides by bi-intercalation

Advanced synchrotron radiation spectroscopy helped to gain insight into the origins of phase transitions in Cu and Ni doped TiSe₂ dichalcogenide.

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TC03277H,
This article is Open Access

Transition-metal dichalcogenide NiTe2: an ambient-stable material for catalysis and nanoelectronics

Transition-metal dichalcogenides hosting topological states have potential implications for catalysis and nanoelectronics. The chemical reactivity and ambient stability of NiTe₂ has been investigated in order to assess the suitability of technology transfer.
Advanced Functional Materials Volume30, Issue22 2000915 (2020) doi: 10.1002/adfm.202000915

Under-cover stabilization and reactivity of a dense carbon monoxide layer on Pt(111)

A densely-packed CO overlayer on Pt(111) has been stabilised under a 2D cover formed by a h-BN–graphene in-plane heterostructure. The 2D layer influences the CO–Pt bond and CO reacts with the h–BNG cover at an elevated temperature at the h-BN–graphene boundaries.
Chem. Sci., 2019,10, http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C8SC04461A
This article is Open Access.

Temperature-Programmed Photoemission @ BACH

Temperature-programmed (TP) photoemission spectroscopy (core levels, ARPES, work function) can be performed at BACH with controlledtemperatureramp thanks to a PID controller and a quick acquisition mode.
Nanoscale 2016, Suppl. Info., DOI:10.1039/C6NR05952J, Chem. Sci., 2019, DOI: 10.1039/C8SC04461A

Tailored boron‑nitrogen‑carbon 2D layers

The chemical composition and interaction strenght with the substrate of a 2D layer composed of C, B and N has been tuned by growing the heterostructure on different polycrystalline metals (Pt, Ni, Fe) at different temperatures. The layer grown on Pt has been transferred on a SiO₂/Si substrate by a simple electrolytic delamination. S. Nappini et al. Applied Surface Science (2019), DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2019.01.274. Free access until April 17 2019: https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1YdcccXa~sOQI

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MultiSpectroscopy endstation

In the UHV (low 10^-10 mbar) endstation of the BRANCH A it is possible to perform a multi-spectroscopy investigation with photoemission UPS/XPS (including polarization and photon energy-dependent ultra-violet (UV) and soft-x SX-ARPES, RESPES and energy-dependent Photoelectron DIffraction PhD, temperature-progarmmed photoemission TP-XPS), x-ray absorption XAS (TEY,PEY,TFY,PFY) including GAP SCAN acquisitions, x-ray emission XES and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism XMCD (in remanence in the branch A). A LEED and several electron beam evaporators are available to deposit selected metals on the sample surface at different temperatures. A sample-preparation UHV chamber, directly connected to the EndstationA can be used to grow thin films of metals or metal oxides and deposit organic/inorganic molecules on solid surfaces for in-situ investigations. High-partial pressure gas exposures (up to 100 torr) and sample annealing are also possible in a dedicated chamber. Connection of vacuum suitcases is also feasible. Samples in static liquid environment can also be measured in fluorescence yield.

VG-Scienta R3000 analyser (RESPES, TP-XPS, Dichroic ARPES, EUV ARPES, SX-ARPES, RES-ARPES, fast XPS and UPS, PhD, PY-XAS)

A VG-Scienta hemispherical electron analyzer (CNR) has been installed in mid December 2011 on the branch A, replacing the VSW 150 mm analyser (Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A.). This instrument offers the possibility to perform angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES) with energy resolution better that 3 meV and angular resolution better than 0.1° and full control of the polarization in a wide photon energy range (from 35 to 1600 eV) for band mapping and surface structural studies.

This instrument can be used to perform polarization and photon energy dependent ARPES from the Extreme UV to the Soft X ray range (35-1650eV). In particular RES SX ARPES can be performed for example at resonance of transition metals L₂₃edge. A quick acquisition mode is available to perform Fast XPS/UPS/ARPES, e.g. during Temperature-programmed XPS or photo-induced or chemical reactions, with 320 msec total acquisition time per spectrum. The same instrument can be used to acquire Partial-Yield XAS (secondary or Auger electrons), together with the drain current from the sample (TEY). Gap-scan partial yield XAS is also possible. Resonant Photoemission, Energy-dependent Photoelectron Diffraction spectra, as well as high-resolution valence band maps along the vertical kz direction, are acquired in a fully automatized mode.

Pump-Probe Time resolved XAS

The experimental setup of the BRANCH A can also combine Laser and Synchrotron Radiation (SR) in order to study the dynamics of the photo-induced excited states of electronic and magnetic systems with optical pump- x ray probe time-resolved XAS. Elettra Synchrotron radiation source provides radiation pulse widths sufficiently short to investigate dynamic processes in the time between 70 ps up to 0.5 μs. Typically, optical excitation of the sample is done by laser pulses (synchronized to either hybrid or multi bunch SR pulses), and probing is performed by time-delayed synchrotron radiation pulses.

“Gap/Phase Energy scan” acquisition mode (synchronization of the undulator gap and phase with the monochromator) has been implemented to XAS, XMCD, RESPES, ARPES and PhD. This has been possible thanks to the collaboration with undulator group (D. Millo, ST), Undulator server group (L. Pivetta, L. Scafuri, ST), A. Barla (ISM-CNR), L. Stebel (ST)
XAS, XANES measurements are possible from the Si L23 edge to Al K edge, including all 3d transition metals L23, C K, B K, N K, O K and all lantanides N45 and M45. Gap-scan has also been implemented for PY-XAS.

ComIXS fluorescence spectrometer

The fluorescence spectrometer ComIXS (Compact Inelastic X-ray Spectrometer) installed at the BRANCH A is devoted to the energy analysis of the photons emitted from the sample in the experimental chamber (under synchrotron radiation) for RIXS (resonant x-ray emission spectroscopy) and XES (x-ray emission spectroscopy). It takes advantage of two variable line spacing spherical gratings to cover the range from 20 (35) eV to 1200 eV with high efficiency, but limited resolution (resolving power around 800-1000). The data acquisition is made by a back-illuminated peltier-cooled CCD camera optimized on the soft x-ray energy range. Please contact us if you are interested (the instrument is not currently available to users).

Cells for measurements in liquid environment (NEW)

Cells for fluorescence yield XAS measurements in static liquid environment are available also for users. Other cells are under development.
Please contact us if you are interested.

Branchline C

A third BRANCH C is also available for the installation of user endstations for long term projects.
Please contact us if you ar interested.

High-field low-temperature cryomagnet

The experimental setup of the BRANCH B hosts an endstation dedicated to x-ray magnetic circular dichroism in high magnetic fields (± 6.5 Tesla, ramp rate of 1T/min) along the beam and variable tempertaure from 1.8 K to 340 K on the sample in a base pressure of 1.2x10^-11 mbar (only by cryopumping). A sample UHV preparation chamber with a LEED, cleaving and scraping facilities, possibility to install evaporators without breaking the UHV has been assembled, installed and already tested and used for a first in-situ XMCD experiment (May 2014.
The first XMCD measurements with the new cryomagnet at low T (4 K) under high magnetic fields have been obtained during the commissioning (March 2013, sample courtesy of J. Fontcuberta). The endstation can be used to measure XMCD both under applied magnetic fields and in remanence.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
DUE TO THE LACK OF FUNDS FOR PURCHASING LHe THIS ENDSTATION IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE.

User Area

Proposal Submission

Before submitting a proposal for the BACH beamline we invite user to read the Info for Users and this page to have an updated information on the endstations and instrumentation. In any case we invite users and collaborators to discuss their proposals with the beamline local contacts well in advance before the submission deadline. This is crucial for a careful assessment of the experiment feasibility and may lead to improvements in the proposed experimental plan. We invite users interested in installing a bulky piece of equipment (such as an entire experimental station) which takes a long time to assemble and dismount to discuss their project with the beamline local contacts well in advance before the submission deadline.
For the access there are three options: Elettra VUO system (the proposals which receive the highest ranking may be elegible for European, ICTP or National Support programs), NFFA EUROPE (nffa.eu) which offers free access to users (please contact us if you need more information) and AHEAD 2020 (http://ahead.astropa.inaf.it/) which also offers free access to users (please contact us if you need more information. You can find more information at: https://babe.iom.cnr.it/))

Next call:

VUO-Elettra: March 2023

for proposals eligible for the user period starting from July 1st to December 31th, 2022. (proposal through Elettra VUO, see https://www.elettra.eu/userarea/apbt.html)

NFFA-Europe NEP Third call for proposals: Dec 1st, 2022

see https://www.nffa.eu/ (proposal through NFFA)

AHEAD call for proposals open

Please find here more information on the proposal submission: http://ahead.astropa.inaf.it/index.php/how-submit-a-proposal/

Safety First!

Any person working (staff, user or collaborator) at the BACH beamline must read and accept the safety rules described here before accessing the beamline and endstations and follow the safety rules during the beamtime.

Please also read the Documents here:
Emergency Management
Safety Operative Procedures
Waste Management

Quick Links

Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 October 2022 09:16