Here we present the new experimental stations devoted to the studies of matter under extreme conditions at the X-ray absorption beamlines BM23 and ID24-DCM that were recently refurbished within the ESRF - Extremely Brilliant Source (EBS) upgrade program. In comparison with the stations before the EBS upgrade, they exhibit outstanding performances in terms of sample positioning capabilities, acceptance of multi-detection systems and complex sample environments. In addition, significant improvements regarding the photon flux and focusing capabilities down to the submicron size have been achieved. These stations are now coupled with the new ESRF double crystal monochromators that exhibit an exceptional beam position and energy stability and that permit quick micro-EXAFS measurements down to one EXAFS/second, and hyperspectral EXAFS mapping. In this contribution, we discuss the choices regarding the sample and detector stages and illustrate the potential of the new setups for extreme conditions studies based on selected preliminary results.

This paper describes technical details and new scientific opportunities offered by the new High Power Laser Facility at the ESRF, opened to users since 2022. This facility enables laser-induced dynamic compression experiments probed by ultra-fast X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy at beamline ID24-ED. This capability allows to reach and probe more extreme pressure and temperature states and higher strain rates with respect to static compression, addressing open questions in fundamental, planetary and material science.

BM23 is the general-purpose EXAFS bending-magnet beamline at the ESRF, replacing the former BM29 beamline in the framework of the ESRF upgrade. Its mission is to serve the whole XAS user community by providing access to a basic service in addition to the many specialized instruments available at the ESRF. BM23 offers high signal-to-noise ratio EXAFS in a large energy range (5–75 keV), continuous energy scanning for quick-EXAFS on the second timescale and a micro-XAS station delivering a spot size of 4 µm × 4 µm FWHM. It is a user-friendly facility featuring a high degree of automation, online EXAFS data reduction and a flexible sample environment.

A new X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) full-field imaging station has been developed, installed and tested on beamline ID21 at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). The set-up operates in the 2-9 keV energy range and allows for the simultaneous acquisition of up to 4.106 XANES spectra over large sample areas with preserved sub-micron spatial resolution. The versatile set-up is compatible with various types of cameras and magnifying objectives. It accommodates spatial resolutions ranging from 0.3 μm to 1.4 μm and fields of view from 600 μm up to 2 mm. The range of potential applications is broad: from geology, cultural heritage, environmental sciences to medicine.

The ID21 Scanning X-ray Microscope (SXM) is optimized for micro-spectroscopy with submicron resolution in the 2 to 9.5 keV energy range. After a brief description of the microscope setup, we present here recent developments, in particular, the latest version of the compact Wavelength Dispersive Spectrometer and the refurbished cryo-stage.