X-ray Fluorescence Microprobe Facility
The x-ray fluorescence microprobe facility is being constructed at MHATT-CAT (Sector-7 of the Advance Photon Source)
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a core-level spectroscopy that can be used for sensitive elemental analysis. The MLSC-XRF facility is being built at the MHATT-CAT bending magnet beam line.
The APS (see below) is an ultra-intense source of hard x-rays .
Focused x-ray beams (ca. 10 micrometer spatial resolution) will permit spatially-resolved elemental analysis of complex biological systems, including intact tissue. Spectroscopic measurements (e.g., EXAFS) will permit determination of the local structural environment of the metal ions in a sample.
Representative data from a 300 micrometer thick slice of mouse brain are shown below. False color image gives the relative concentration of Zn as a function of position. The intense regions correspond with the location of the hippocampus.
The microprobe facility is currently under construction. Estimated completion date December 2004.