Description
The ASTRA beamline at the SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Centre in Krakow
is a handy and versatile tool for X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The available energy
range of 1-15 keV is quite unique among other synchrotron X-ray spectroscopic beamlines. It
encompasses the tender and part of the hard X-ray radiation and covers the K-edges of
significant chemical elements like magnesium, silicon, sulfur, phosphorus, chlorine and 3d
transition metals, which are important for many enzymes and other bioactive chemical
compounds. Therefore, gathering information about their chemical state provides direct insights
into biochemical processes in given specimens. L- absorption edges up to bismuth and M-edges
of actinides can be investigated at ASTRA as well. The beamline´s capabilities are especially
valuable not only for material sciences and catalyst research but also for the life sciences,
agriculture, and the food industry.
In this presentation, X-ray absorption spectra of samples measured in both solid and liquid
phase, at reduced or ambient pressure, will be presented, highlighting ASTRA´s research
potential in the mentioned areas. Moreover, the current status of the reference spectra library of
sulfur containing compounds commonly used in biomedical studies involving cell cultures or
protein crystal growth will be discussed. Furthermore, the technical further development of
ASTRA will be discussed, with a strong focus on the integration of a Raman probe into the
XAS set-up. We believe that such a combination of two spectroscopic techniques will bring
ASTRA even closer to topics in life science and agro-food industry. Also, combining two
spectroscopies for in-situ and operando measurements will be highly attractive for chemists
working in the fields of catalysis, nanoparticle research and electrochemistry.
Acknowledgements: The further development of the ASTRA beamline for measuring at
low photon energies was supported within the EU Horizon2020 programme (952148-Sylinda).
