New technology for a nanoscale x-ray source:
towards single isolated molecule scattering

This project aims to develop a laser-based soft x-ray source to probe the shape of single proteins and other nanoscale objects. It is funded by the Research Councils UK Basic Technology Programme. Our source is based on a high-power femtosecond laser, which can produce ultrafast soft X-ray pulses via high harmonic generation.

The project is highly interdisciplinary, involving collaboration between

• the School of Chemistry
• the School of Physics
• the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) and
• the School of Electronics & Computer Science

at the University of Southampton, working together with the Central Laser Facility of the CCLRC at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories.