title: A multi purpose source chamber at the PLEIADES beamline at SOLEIL for spectroscopic studies of isolated species: cold molecules, clusters, and nanoparticles.
abstract: This paper describes the philosophy and design goals regarding the construction of a versatile sample environment: a source capable of producing beams of atoms, molecules, clusters, and nanoparticles in view of studying their interaction with short wavelength (vacuum ultraviolet and x-ray) synchrotron radiation. In the design, specific care has been taken of (a) the use standard components, (b) ensuring modularity, i.e., that swiftly switching between different experimental configurations was possible. To demonstrate the efficiency of the design, proof-of-principle experiments have been conducted by recording x-ray absorption and photoelectron spectra from isolated nanoparticles (SiO2) and free mixed clusters (Ar/Xe). The results from those experiments are showcased and briefly discussed.
authors.affiliation: Synchrotron SOLEIL, L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin, BP 48, F-91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lindblad
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Söderström
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nicolas
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Robert
authors.forename: Catalin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miron