The High Resolution Inelastic X-ray Spectrometer HERIX at Advanced Photon Source sector 30 recently recorded its first spectrum during the commissioning phase. The sample was honey, which, due to it's high viscosity, produces a nearly delta-shaped peak that can be used to study the instrument resolution at different scattering angles. The broad wings on the sides are phonon excitations from the 20% residual water in the honey sample.

HERIX will become a user instrument in January 2007. It works with up to nine analyzers in parallel with an energy resolution around 1.6 meV. The flux at the sample position will be 10 9 photons/second in a spot of 30 x 10 microns.