dls-i11-tools

This repository contains some scripts for automating diffraction on the i11 beamline at Diamond Light Source. i11 is targeted at high-angular resolution and time-resolved diffraction, with additional capability for variable temperature (VT) experiments across a temperature range of 80 - 1000 K (using cryostream and a hot air blower).

Example scripts can be found in the examples/ folder:

1. batch_example.py is a real script used at i11 to automatically run a batch of room temp. PSD measurements, followed by some variable temperature runs on specific samples. It loads the sample ID/positions from a csv file and writes a log file that links the corresponding measurement files to the sample IDs.
2. advanced_example.py is a prototype script using the utility classes in this repository to provide easier control, logging and monitoring of the beamline. This script has NOT been field tested (as of May 2022), but may form the basis of more advanced experiments in the future.

Extra info

i11 has two types of detectors:

• PSD (position-sensitive detectors) for fast scans with good resolution (~ seconds per scan) (referred to as delta and smythen in GDA scripts).
• MAC (multi-analyzer crystal) for slower scans with high resolution (~ 20 minutes per scan) (referred to as ttx in GDA scripts).

i11 uses GDA server to control all apparatus. GDA can be scripted with Jython (a Java implementation of Python 2.7) and uses beamline-specific extensions (implemented as keywords, e.g., pos <scannable> <position>) to position samples, detectors, etc.

Contributors

If you are interested in these scripts then drop us a line!

• Matthew Evans
• Joshua Bocarsly