QuantumLeap-V210 -

QuantumLeap-V210

XAS Spectroscopy System
First laboratory XAS with low Z capabilities and microspot analysis

Key Advantages:

Only laboratory XAS system with synchrotron-like performance
XANES at 0.7 eV and EXAFS within seconds or minutes
1.7 keV to 10 keV, enabling low atomic number element analysis
Down to 1.7 keV for phosphorus and sulfur analysis within the vacuum enclosure
MicroXAS at 100 micron spot size
Motorized stage enables XAS mapping at 100 µm over a sample for microXANES and microEXAFS

Synchrotron-like Performance in a Laboratory XAS System

X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) is one of the most widely utilized techniques at synchrotron facilities, generating more publications than any other synchrotron-based method. However, due to its popularity, obtaining XAS beamtime can be highly competitive, often involving lengthy proposal submissions and review processes. As a result, even well-qualified and scientifically valuable projects may not receive access to the beamlines.

To address this challenge, Sigray developed the QuantumLeap™ series, offering synchrotron-quality XAS performance directly within your own laboratory. This innovation enables researchers to conduct advanced studies that would otherwise be difficult or impossible at external facilities, including experiments requiring large sample sets or complex in-situ conditions.

EXAFS spectrum of an iron foil compared to synchrotron data

Low Atomic Number (Z) Capabilities

The QuantumLeap-V210 is a fully integrated system housed within a high-vacuum enclosure capable of achieving pressures as low as 10⁻⁵ Torr. It features a load-lock chamber that allows for quick and efficient sample exchange without breaking vacuum, ensuring optimal measurement conditions. This controlled vacuum environment enables X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) measurements at photon energies as low as 1.7 keV, facilitating precise analysis of light elements such as phosphorus (Z=15) and sulfur (Z=16).

Components of the QuantumLeap-V210 is entirely enclosed within a vacuum chamber.

MicroXAS at a 100 µm spot size

The QuantumLeap-V210 utilizes a focusing X-ray optic to concentrate X-rays onto a small spot on the sample surface. This micro-focused beam enables high-resolution chemical microscopy, allowing detailed mapping of chemical variations across heterogeneous samples using XANES and/or EXAFS techniques. Moreover, the small spot size greatly simplifies sample preparation, as it minimizes the need for extensive sample uniformity. In contrast, conventional large-spot XAS systems—typically with millimeter-scale beam sizes—require highly uniform samples, making preparation significantly more demanding.

The **patented acquisition scheme** of the **QuantumLeap-V210** employs a **focusing X-ray optic** to direct X-rays onto the sample. A **downstream crystal analyzer** then disperses the transmitted X-rays by wavelength, projecting them onto a **spatially resolving detector**. The detector captures this dispersed signal as an **image**, which directly corresponds to the **X-ray Absorption Spectrum (XAS)** of the sample.

System Features

Patented High-Brightness X-ray Source:
Equipped with multiple targets, this source enables high-throughput performance and supports analysis across the full range of elements directly in the laboratory.
Capillary X-ray Optics:
Utilizes precision capillary optics to focus the X-ray beam to a 100 µm diameter spot, enabling high spatial resolution and reducing sample preparation requirements.
High-Vacuum Enclosure:
Designed to achieve pressures of <10⁻⁵ Torr, allowing accurate measurement and chemical analysis of low-Z (light) elements.
Intuitive Software Interface:
User-friendly acquisition and analysis software with seamless data export to CSV format, compatible with popular XAS analysis tools such as Athena and Artemis.

Patented Multi-Target Ultrahigh Brightness X-ray Source

The QuantumLeap’s X-ray source incorporates a patented multi-target design in which multiple target materials are in optimal thermal contact with diamond, renowned for its exceptional thermal conductivity. This efficient heat dissipation allows for higher power loading, resulting in intense, high-brightness X-ray beams.

Another key innovation is the motorized multi-material target assembly, which enables software-controlled selection between different X-ray target materials. This flexibility is crucial for X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), as it allows users to switch targets to avoid interference from strong characteristic X-ray lines, ensuring cleaner and more accurate spectral data.

Achieving a smooth spectrum for XAS: Molybdenum (Mo) targets produce characteristic X-ray lines at approximately 2–3 keV and 17.4 keV, while tungsten (W) targets emit characteristic lines within the 7–12 keV range. By selectively choosing the appropriate target material, these characteristic peaks can be avoided, allowing the system to generate a smooth, continuous X-ray spectrum across a broad energy range of 4.5 to 25 keV—ideal for comprehensive XAS measurements.

Mirror Lens: Capillary X-ray Optics

The QuantumLeap-V210 is the only commercially available micro-XAS system in the world. Sigray, a recognized leader in X-ray optics manufacturing and a key supplier to synchrotron facilities worldwide, brings its advanced optical expertise to this innovative design.

The QuantumLeap-V210 features precision-engineered X-ray optics that efficiently deliver X-rays from the source to the sample without chromatic aberrations. The resulting tightly focused spot on the sample provides significant advantages, including simplified sample preparation and the ability to perform high-resolution analysis of heterogeneous materials.

Two **spatially distinct points** on the **metavanadate (NH₄VO₃)** sample—represented by the **blue line** and **red squares**—were analyzed to assess **sample uniformity**. For comparison, spectra from a **reference vanadium foil** are also shown, with **black dots** representing data acquired using the **QuantumLeap system** and the **black line** representing data obtained from a **synchrotron source**.

Vacuum Enclosure

The QuantumLeap-V210 is fully enclosed within a large high-vacuum chamber capable of achieving pressures as low as 10⁻⁵ Torr. This advanced vacuum design is essential for performing X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) on low atomic number elements, such as phosphorus and sulfur. Such capability is exceptionally rare—even among most synchrotron XAS beamlines—due to the inherent complexity and precision required for maintaining high-vacuum instrumentation.

Software

The QuantumLeap system includes an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) designed for streamlined data acquisition. Users can easily configure recipe-based scans for point-by-point mapping or for analyzing multiple samples simultaneously—with a sample holder accommodating up to 16 samples of 3″ diameter each. Acquired data can be conveniently exported as CSV files, compatible with leading XAS analysis software such as Athena and Artemis.

Applications

Catalysts

Catalysts, which accelerate chemical reactions, play a crucial role in nearly 90% of all commercially produced chemical products, representing a global market exceeding $30 billion. They are widely used across diverse industries, including polymer production, food science, petrochemicals, energy processing, and fine chemicals.

Synchrotron-based X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) has long been the technique of choice for advancing catalyst research—enabling scientists to correlate atomic-scale structural motifs with catalytic performance. The QuantumLeap system brings these powerful capabilities directly into the laboratory, providing researchers with synchrotron-quality XAS performance without the cost, travel, or scheduling challenges associated with synchrotron beamtime.

**X-ray Absorption Analysis** of a **Co–Cu catalyst sample** alongside a **reference cobalt (Co) foil**. Distinct **high-resolution spectral features**, including **pre-edge structures**, are clearly observable, demonstrating the system’s ability to resolve fine electronic and chemical details.

Batteries and Fuel Cells

A wide range of potential electrode materials for Li⁺ storage are being investigated for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), encompassing diverse compositions and structures from microscale to nanoscale. X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) plays a key role in characterizing the structural and electronic properties of these electrodes, providing insights into the electrochemical mechanisms that drive battery performance.

Sigray’s QuantumLeap system enables both ex-situ analysis of electrode chemistry and is equipped with baffles and feedthroughs that support optional in-situ cells for in-operando studies, allowing researchers to observe chemical changes during battery operation. Additionally, the high-vacuum enclosure of the QuantumLeap-V210 facilitates the investigation of next-generation, high-energy-density battery technologies—such as Li–S batteries—by enabling detailed analysis of sulfur chemistry.

XANES spectrum of a new versus aged lithium ion battery cathode, demonstrating chemical changes

Nanoparticles and Nanotubes

The electronic, magnetic, and catalytic properties of nanoparticles differ markedly from those of the same materials in their bulk form, with these variations strongly influenced by the size and shape of the particles. However, nanoparticles in the 1–5 nm range are often challenging to characterize using conventional laboratory techniques such as X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) overcomes these limitations by providing detailed information on atomic-scale structure, including interatomic distances, average particle size (even for clusters smaller than 2 nm), and insights into particle geometry.

Hematite and magnetite iron nanopowder XANES analysis

Technical Specifications of the QuantumLeap-V210

	Parameter	Specification
Overall	Energy Coverage	1.7 to 10 keV
	XAS Acquisition	Transmission mode
	Energy Resolution	0.7 eV in XANES <10 eV in EXAFS (Note that you can also use XANES mode to acquire high resolution EXAFS at 0.7 eV)
	Beam Path	Enclosed in vacuum
	Focus at Sample	100 μm diameter spot
Source	Type	Sigray patented ultrahigh brightness sealed microfocus source
	Target(s)	W and Mo standard. Others available upon request.
	Power \| Voltage	300W \| 20-50 kVp
X-ray Optic	Type	Sigray proprietary double paraboloidal x-ray mirror lens
	Transmission Efficiency	~80%
	Magnification	1:1 magnification
	Interior Coating	Platinum for increasing collection efficiency of optic. Others available upon request (e.g. Iridium coating for analyzing Pt).
X-ray Crystals	Type	HAPG/HOPG Ge (220) Single Crystal Ge (400) Single Crystal Fourth Crystal of Ge(111) provided if low energy (2.1 keV) operation is of interest
X-ray Detector	Type	Spatially resolving (pixelated detector)
Dimensions	Footprint	42″ W x 95″ H x 75″ D
Additional Capabilities	Multiple Sample Holder	Holds up to 16 samples of ~3mm diameter each