Small-displacement monochromator for microdiffraction experiments

We describe the design, construction, and performance of the MHATT-CAT microdiffraction x-ray monochromator. This monochromator is specially engineered for x-ray microdiffraction experiments with a high brilliance undulator source. The monochromator passes a small emittance beam, suitable for focusing to submicron size with submilliradian divergence. Over its energy range of 8–22 keV the absolute energy calibration is better than 2 eV and scans of ± 1 keV show no measurable hysterisis. The monochromator operates with a simple water-cooled first crystal and shows no measurable warm-up time. Horizontal linear bearings allow the monochromator crystals to be rapidly inserted or removed from the beam. Slits before and after the monochromator work to pass broad bandpass or monochromatic x-ray beams at the same vertical height. The monochromatic beam direction is adjusted so the monochromatic and broad bandpass beams are coaxial. The design and performance of the monochromator allows efficient collection of microdiffraction data when coupled to a nondispersive Kirkpatrick–Baez focusing mirror pair.