Beamlines

 

HED (High Energy Density)

 

It 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 ultra-high energy optical lasers and pulsed magnetic field sources. Possible scientific applications include studies of states of matter present in solar planets, new high-pressure phases of matter important in the context of geophysics, high-density plasmas and phase transitions in complex solids under the influence of very strong magnetic fields. Nonlinear processes and short-lived transients of matter, elusive to other diagnostic tools, play a special role here.

 

MID (Materials Imaging and Dynamics)

 

It is optimized for experiments in physics and materials chemistry and nanotechnology.

 

FXE (Femtosecond X-ray Experiments)

 

This is a research station where scientists focus their attention on time-resolved studies of ultrafast physical and chemical processes occurring in the liquid or condensed phase. FXE research topics are related to the dynamics of photochemical reactions and phase transitions in the femto- and picosecond range, and to states of matter characterized by short lifetimes. Simultaneous use of optical and X-ray lasers in a pump-probe system allows recording the ultrafast dynamics of phenomena occurring in the studied system as “molecular films” depicting, among other things, the chemical reactions or phase transitions taking place.

 

SPB/SFX (Single Particles, clusters and Biomolecules/Serial Femtosecond Crystallography)

 

It is designed for structural studies of bio-molecules such as single biomolecules, virus capsids, cell and tissue fragments, or microorganisms. In addition, studies of more basic systems of great importance to materials science, such as nanocrystals and atomic clusters, are also performed. The scientific apparatus available at the SPB/SFX station allows the analysis of two- and three-dimensional structures of single molecules in the gas and condensed phases. It is possible, for example, to capture coherent diffraction images of complex biological systems, such as protein macromolecules, with the high spatial resolution (< 1 nm) necessary to obtain the full structural information required for accurate knowledge and understanding of their biological function.

 

SQS (Small Quantum Systems)

 

It enables scientists in the fields of atomic and molecular physics to study nonlinear processes induced by X-ray beams.

 

SCS (Spectroscopy and Coherent Scattering)

 

Opens possibilities to study the electron and atomic structure and dynamics of processes occurring in nanomaterials and soft condensed matter, as well as biological systems with non-periodic structure. It is possible to measure the two- and three-dimensional structure of soft matter, magnetic materials, nanoparticles and supramolecular complexes and biomolecules with a spatial resolution of 10 nm. The dynamics of ultrafast magnetization processes in nanomaterials and electron structures in complex solid-phase materials are studied here.

 

SXP (Soft X-ray Port)

 

The main asset of this research station is time-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which allows, among other things, to study the dynamics of processes occurring at material surfaces and interfaces (phase boundaries). It also makes it possible to analyze intermediates in biological and inorganic catalysts used to activate chemical bonds using fluorescence spectroscopy. Another interesting topic of research carried out at the SXP i station is the measurement of highly charged ions in the field of astrophysics.