From 15th to 18th of April 2024 the group had a chance to learn how to perform XAS measurements at the SOLARIS synchrotron. As it was our first experiment in such a lab and it was recommended to have 2 people per shift we were joined by Kasia Dusiło from a neighbour group at the IChF’s Electrochemistry Excellence Centre.
We learned how to prepare the samples and mount powders and pellets using different techniques. Later we imaged the holder to find proper measurement spots using prompts and PyMca
We also had few tries each on how to transfer the holders between the loadlock and the measurement chamber and last but not least how to program a macro to perform longer measurements and not to stay the whole night.
It was a great, although physically exhausting experience and we will surely be back for more XAS. We even dropped by at the ASTRA beamline to ask about future experiments with liquid samples.
Thanks to Krzysztof Pitała and Marcin Zając for the training and help during the measurements!