Low-cost vacuum compatible liquid cell for hard X-ray absorption spectroscopy

TL;DR

This paper introduces a low-cost, customizable, vacuum-compatible liquid cell for X-ray absorption spectroscopy, suitable for transmission and fluorescence measurements, with easy assembly and potential for cryogenic use.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel, inexpensive liquid cell design that is easily customizable, vacuum compatible, and adaptable for cryogenic applications, utilizing 3D printing for cost efficiency.

Findings

The liquid cell is vacuum compatible and customizable.

It allows measurements in both transmission and fluorescence modes.

The cost per unit is estimated to be less than 10 euros.

Abstract

We present the design, fabrication, and commissioning of a new liquid cell for X-ray absorption spectroscopy, that allows measurement in both transmission and fluorescence modes. The design consists of easily demountable and replaceable parts: body, kapton windows, silicon or viton o-rings, washers and a stopper screw. The pathlengths of the liquid chamber can be changed by simply substituting the elastomer o-ring, that can be cut from commercial silicon tubes, making the cell extremely customizable to overcome experimental constraints. The sealing of the liquid has been proved to be vacuum compatible. The compact and simple design makes the cell adjustable to cryogenic applications. Finally the advent of the 3d printing machines makes the cell potentially very competitive from a cost point of view (each unit is estimated less to be than 10 euros)