Construction
VESPERS underwent construction and testing throughout 2007. The table below lists the milestones achieved in 2007. Pictures aside show the beamline components and four pin-hole pattern on a view screen. Limited user service will begin in 2008. First use by the beam team will concentrate on the availability of a truly micrometer-level spatial resolution for the detection and mapping of trace elements in geologic matrices primarily using XRF and, to a lesser extent, XANES. Through 2008, the Laue XRD capabilities will be commissioned including the DAXM scanning wire technique adopted from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Construction Photograhs
November 2006 - Primary hutch construction begins
May 2007 - X-ray focussing mirrors arrive from SES. They are bendable secondary mirrors that are used in the secondary hutch just before the sample stage. Note the three different coatings that are used to cover different exciting x-ray energy ranges
June 2007 - First major beamline components arrive from Toyama and are installed in the primary hutch. Here the first mirror tank is moved into place using an overhead crane.
November 2007 - Pumping control panel shows most components in the primary hutch part of the beamline to be in the 10-10 torr pressure range following bakeout.
November 2007 - After final cleaning, the CLS-built VESPERS monochromator is moved into the line and bakeout begins.
November 2007 - Primary optical mirror tanks are fully instrumented. Motors and controllers have been tested.
November 2007 - Beam transport for both VESPERS beamlines is in place from the primary to the secondary optical enclosure. This shows the location where both beam transports leave the primary hutch. The second line will not be instrumented for the time being.
March 2008 - Adjustments of the first mirror
July 2008 - Marina and Renfei during the first installation of the end station
September 2008 - New Monochromator control panel
December 2008 - Final adjustments to the end station optics
December 2008 - IBM and CLS scientists conduct first live test of Science Studio software on VESPERS
December 2008 - Shutters, filters and slits in the end station optics