QSA Forum 2023: towards quality assurance to synchrotron services

ESRF and other synchrotron light sources are making significant steps to provide “production level” commercial services as part of the industrial value chain. These are differentiated from ad hoc tailored/complex services by being offered on a routine basis and high-volume scale, at competitive prices. Commercial exploitation though has so far not requested a quality approach to be integrated - perhaps as the clients are using the data at low TRL, for example, at the drug discovery stage.

However, as service provisions, such as micro-computed tomography and X-ray powder diffraction, becomes both more widely available and exploited by commercial access with applications at higher TRL or being used in (e.g.) medically-related work, an interest from clients in the services being enhanced with quality assurance approaches is gently growing. The light sources could position themselves ahead of this curve so as to be able to offer high-quality services as a more logical part of the commercial value chain generally across various industry sectors.

In this context, discussion between light sources and industry becomes essential to guide future development: and this is why ESRF, together with DESY and Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, organised a focus forum on the potential role and use of quality control in synchrotron service provision, which took place on the 2 and 3 March 2023, in Berlin (Germany) with support from the LEAPS Innov European project.

Pictures: the QSA forum 2023 comprised presentations and working group discussions.

During the two days of discussions and working groups, 30 participants had the chance to debate and exchange on several important topics, such as:

• The potential future needs for quality assurance from industry sectors;

• The potential scope of quality assurance application at synchrotrons (e.g. procedures, equipment, monitoring);

• The pros and cons of applying a quality assurance approach to synchrotron services;

• The costs and tools required as a blueprint to apply quality assurance;

• Identifying which are the practical and tenable applications in the real world to synchrotron techniques.

The importance of quality assurance covers a wide range of requirements: it can help light sources be a more integrated part of the value chain, and it contributes to ensuring that the right processes and procedures are in place (by keeping the services offered up to the highest standard). Furthermore, by implementing quality assurance processes, light sources could identify and address potential issues before they impact the user’s experience, which can ultimately lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

By proceeding in this direction, not only will it be possible to continuously improve the service offered and make changes or implementations that can lead to increased efficiency and productivity, but it could also help to improve light sources’ reputation and performance.

Therefore, quality assurance turns into a critical component of synchrotron services, which will jointly meet or exceed clients’ expectations and progress towards a long-term successful collaboration.