Instrument

The Small Quantum Systems (SQS) instrument is situated at the SASE3 branch, where soft X-ray radiation in a photon energy range between 270 eV and 3000 eV with up to 2×1014 photons per pulse is available. The ultrashort FEL pulses of < 25 fs in combination with a synchronized optical laser allow for capturing ultrafast nuclear dynamics with unprecedented resolution. Two bendable X-ray mirrors in Kirkpatrick-Baez configuration focus the FEL beam to a FWHM spot size of < 1 µm diameter in three different focal points. This results in an intensity of more than 1018 W/cm2 within the interaction region.

Three versatile, interchangeable experimental end stations are available to the user community for investigations of atomic and molecular systems, as well as clusters, nano-particles and small bio-molecules:

  •   the Atomic-like Quantum Systems (AQS) end station
  •   the Nano-sized Quantum Systems (NQS) end station
  •   the Reaction Microscope (REMI) end station
 

By default, only SQS-provided equipment can be used. Please contact a member of the SQS team to discuss other options. All end stations can be operated in any of the available focal points. More details on the individual components of the instrument can be found on the following pages.