13HIGHLIGHTS 2020

The draft version of the TDR for the implementation of EBSL2 ID03, the beamline for hard X-ray diffraction microscopy, is finished. Following external review within the framework of the ESRF BLRP meetings, procurement procedures for the construction of the infrastructure will be launched soon. The lead scientist for the EBSL1 ID18 project for the construction of a long beamline for coherence applications has updated the Conceptual Design Report (CDR), and work on the TDR for the project is starting.

The regular beamline refurbishment programme is continuing as part of the EBS beamline readiness plan. The refurbishment of the X-ray microscopy beamline ID21 is now in its final phase, with the design work for the upgrade of the microscope nearly finished (Figure 4). The commissioning of the new scanning double- crystal monochromator (DCM) for spectroscopy beamlines on ID21 has resumed after the restart of the beamline, and the manufacturing of two additional units for the beamlines ID24-DCM and BM23 is ongoing.

The refurbishment of the X-ray absorption beamline ID24 with two branch lines, ID24- EDXAS and ID24-DCM, is progressing as planned. The infrastructure for the entire beamline complex and the High Power Laser Facility (HPLF) platform is finished. The installation of the scientific instrumentation for the energy-dispersive branch ID24-EDXAS and the HPLF will commence in January 2021 with the goal to open the beamline for users in September 2021. The installation of branch line ID24-DCM for energy-scanning XAS with a microbeam is also progressing as planned for a projected start of user operation in March 2022 after installation of the second new scanning DCM.

The complete refurbishment of the high-pressure beamline ID27 as a new long nano-focusing beamline in the Chartreuse Hall will start in November. All contracts for the construction of the infrastructure have been placed and the detailed design of the scientific instrumentation continues as planned. All long-lead items have also been ordered and are being manufactured. The draft version of the TDR for the move of the nuclear scattering beamline to port ID14 is finished and undergoing internal review. Following external review within the framework of the ESRF BLRP meetings, procurement for the construction of the infrastructure will be launched. The new high-resolution spectrograph and the new nano-focusing end-station for this beamline are already under construction and will be commissioned on the existing NRS beamline ID18 before the move to the new port ID14, planned for the end of 2022.

Fig. 4: The refurbishment of X-ray microscopy beamline ID21 is making good progress.

A major ongoing project is the replacement of the beamline control system with a new system, BLISS. So far, 18 beamlines have migrated to BLISS and are taking a growing number of functionalities into user service. The next beamlines to migrate are the beamlines currently under construction (BM23, ID24, ID29 and ID27). Three more of the 10 new high- performance pixel-array detectors have been integrated on their designated beamlines and another four are expected to arrive before the end of the year. Concomitantly, all beamlines have been prepared to technically comply with the implementation of the ESRF data policy (electronic logbook, data DOIs, etc.).

INSTRUMENTATION AND DATA MANAGEMENT

The EBS project comprises an ambitious instrumentation and technology programme, which is required to gain the greatest benefit from the new source properties.

DETECTOR PROCUREMENT AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

In 2020, the high-performance pixel-array systems for scattering and diffraction beamlines were received, including the first large-format CdTe EIGER2 detector (Figure 5). Tests of the detectors will continue until the beginning of 2021. Characterisation began on a series of very recent sCMOS sensors, and commercial cameras built around them. These types of cameras are expected to become the basis for the construction of a new generation of detectors for diverse X-ray imaging applications.