The LUXD facility will give users access to a table-top ultrafast hard X-ray source to perform time resolved diffraction studies.

Designed to provide high relative x-ray flux and ultrafast temporal resolution LUXD will support a range of scientific applications ranging from powers and material diffraction to single crystal measurements, liquid scattering and device structures. All with atomic (1 Å) and 100 femtosecond resolution to probe the real-space dynamics of molecular functionality. 

Powered by a powerful world unique 5 μm OPCPA laser which is used to drive a plasma X-ray source, providing 100 femtosecond bursts of X-rays at Cu Kα (8.04 keV). X-rays are refocused onto targets to perform diffraction measurements. Resulting diffraction signals are collected on 2D area X-ray detectors.

As a user facility it is being designed with ease of access and safety first and foremost.

LUXD is supported by a £3.2M strategic equipment grant from UKRI EPSRC.