New Research Capabilities

Scientists conducting research at EuXFEL currently have access to seven advanced scientific instruments known as research stations (the information below is sourced, among other places, from www.xfel.eu, where more details can be found). Each station is dedicated to specific research topics and types of experiments. EuXFEL research stations are permanently assigned to three X-ray Free-Electron Laser (XFEL) radiation sources with different parameters defining three experimental lines (beamlines): SASE1 and SASE2 operating in the hard X-ray range (photon energies from 3 to 25 keV) and SASE3 designed for the generation of soft X-ray radiation in the range from 260 eV to 3000 eV.

The experimental line SASE1 includes two research stations: SPB/SFX (Single Particles, clusters and Biomolecules/Serial Femtosecond Crystallography) and FXE (Femtosecond X-ray Experiments). The first is dedicated to structural studies of bioparticles such as single biomolecules, virus capsids, cell and tissue fragments, or microorganisms. Additionally, fundamental studies of significant importance to materials science, such as nanocrystals and atomic clusters, are conducted. The scientific equipment available at the SPB/SFX station allows for the analysis of two- and three-dimensional structures of individual molecules in both gaseous and condensed phases It is possible to record coherent diffraction images of complex biological systems, such as macro-molecules of proteins, with high spatial resolution (<1 nm) necessary for obtaining complete structural information essential for a precise understanding of their biological functionMożliwe jest np. rejestrowanie spójnych obrazów dyfrakcyjnych skomplikowanych układów biologicznych, np. makrocząsteczek białek, z wysoką rozdzielczością przestrzenną ( 1 nm) konieczną do uzyskania pełnej informacji strukturalnej, niezbędnej do dokładnego poznania i zrozumienia ich funkcji biologicznej. In the second research station, FXE, scientists focus on time-resolved studies of ultrafast physicochemical processes occurring in the liquid or condensed phase. The research topics of FXE are related to the dynamics of photochemical reactions and phase transitions in the femto- and picosecond range, as well as to states of matter characterized by short lifetimes. The simultaneous use of optical and X-ray lasers in a pump-probe setup allows for the registration of ultrafast dynamics of phenomena occurring in the studied system, serving as "molecular movies'' illustrating, for example, the progress of chemical reactions or phase transitions.

The experimental line SASE2 includes two additional research stations operating in the hard X-ray range: MID (Materials Imaging and Dynamics) and HED (High Energy Density). The MID station is optimized for conducting experiments in the field of material physics and chemistry, as well as nanotechnology. Meanwhile, the HED station offers scientists unique opportunities to perform experiments using X-ray beams to study “exotic” states of matter obtained under extreme conditions of pressure, temperature, electric or magnetic fields, generated using optical lasers with very high energy and pulsed sources of magnetic fields. Possible scientific applications include research on states of matter present in exoplanets, new high-pressure phases of matter important in geophysics, high-density plasmas, and phase transitions in complex solids under the influence of very strong magnetic fields. Nonlinear processes and short-lived transitional states of matter, elusive to other diagnostic tools, play a particularly important role.

The last of the existing experimental lines, SASE3, offers the possibility of conducting research using soft X-ray radiation in three research stations: SCS (Spectroscopy and Coherent Scattering), SQS (Small Quantum Systems), and SXP (Soft X-ray Port). The first enables the study of the electronic and atomic structure and dynamics of processes occurring in nanomaterials and soft condensed matter, as well as in biological systems with non-periodic structures. It is possible to measure the two- and three-dimensional structure of soft matter, magnetic materials, nanoparticles, and supramolecular complexes and biomolecules with spatial resolution on the order of 10 nm. Research is conducted on the ultrafast dynamics of magnetization processes in nanomaterials and electronic structures in complex solid-phase materials. In the second research station on the SASE3 line, SQS, fundamental mechanisms of interactions of atoms, ions, and atomic clusters with strong electromagnetic fields are studied. SQS allows scientists in the fields of atomic and molecular physics to investigate nonlinear processes induced by X-ray radiation beams. The main advantage of the SXP research station is time-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, allowing, among other things, the study of the dynamics of processes occurring on the surfaces of materials and in interfaces (phase boundaries). It also enables the analysis of intermediate products in biological and inorganic catalysts used to activate chemical bonds using fluorescence spectroscopy. Another interesting research topic at the SXP station is the measurement of highly charged ions in the field of astrophysics.