Contrast and Stability Improvements for XPCS Measurements at Beamline 8‐ID‐I at the APS

We have embarked upon a systematic program to optimize all aspects of small‐angle‐x‐ray‐scattering x‐ray photon‐correlation spectroscopy experiments performed at beamline 8‐ID‐I at the Advanced Photon Source (APS). We describe two recent efforts, namely better synchronized CCD shutter control and a re‐engineered experiment station layout that has resulted in a 70% increase in optical contrast and a greater than 300% increase in experiment stability. Together these two improvements extend the dynamic range of time scales that can be probed at APS beamline 8‐ID‐I by one decade.