Bimorph mirrors at synchrotron beamlines: from walking to flying

Abstract With brighter synchrotron sources, automated sample changers, and faster detectors, there is a strong scientific need for rapid precise variation of the X-ray beam profile, rather than “set forget” operation years past. Piezoelectric bimorph deformable mirrors already allow quick profile changes without heat generation wear mechanical devices. Now, their early technological limitations – excessively constraining holders, progressive “junction effect” distortion, communication bottlenecks with power supplies are being overcome by collaboration scientists engineers both in industry at Diamond Light Source. A new maintains stable figure over extended periods operation. Improved holders flexible electrical connectors greatly reducing strain imparted to bimorphs, thereby improving speed, accuracy, stability. more sophisticated high voltage supply has on-board signal processing capacity, allowing large focusing within seconds providing programmable time-varying profiles counteract piezoelectric creep. The between beamline systems freed now runs stably up 1 Hz. Early tests have shown that can repeatedly switch size an well under 10 seconds. Bimorph beamlines growing beyond largely static past gaining dynamism through development projects advanced. We report on how these endeavours will make it easier utilise full potential mirrors.