One of the latest beamlines of ALBA, performing ARPES (Angle Resolved Photo-Emission Spectroscopy) experiments, has been essential for IMDEA Nanociencia and ICN2 researchers to demonstrate how the conducting surface states of a special class of materials -topological insulators- change due to the introduction of magnetic impurities via doping with a small amount of rare earth elements. These results will help understanding better the quantum anomalous Hall Effect which is essential in the development of spintronics.
The new beamline of the ALBA Synchrotron, devoted to ARPES technique, is performing its first official experiment. A research group from DIPC-Donostia is analyzing the electronic structure of a 2D material to be used in spintronics and data storage.
The first ARPES measurement is a fundamental step in the commissioning of the LOREA beamline. The chosen sample was bismuth-telluride, a thermoelectric material capable of converting electricity into temperature difference and vice-versa. LOREA, co-funded with ERDF funds, is expected to be receiving the first users by October 2021.
LOREA beamline has seen its first photons. The photograph, taken in the control hutch of the beamline, shows in the computer screens the footprint of the very first photon beam on the fluorescence screen located outside the optical hutch, taken with only 2 mA of electron beam in the storage ring. Although masked, the satisfaction expressed by the three beamline scientists Massimo Tallarida (beamline responsible), Federico Bisti and Debora Pierucci is evident. This is an important milestone for the beamline, reached with very demanding operating conditions due to the pandemic situation. Congratulations to everybody that contributed to this result!
The 9th beamline of the ALBA Synchrotron is facing the last step before entering in commissioning: having assembled all the optical instruments. The beamline, co-funded with ERDF funds, will offer angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES technique) to official users at the end of 2020.
