Holographically recorded ion-etched varied line spacing grating for a monochromator at the Photon Factory BL19B

Holographically recorded, ion etched ruled gratings can be obtained for the varied line spacing plane grating (VPG) monochromator at the Photon Factory BL19B. A new holographic recording method makes it possible to manufacture VPGs with large varied line coefficients for reducing the aberration terms in the optical path function. The efficiency at higher photon energies and the quantity of stray light are improved in comparison with mechanically ruled gratings. The calculation shows that the much lower efficiency at higher photon energies is not intrinsic for saw-tooth type gratings. It seems to be caused instead by carbon contamination, radiation damage, deformation at manufacturing and so on.